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^MIaVK MAltCV ON A 
LiTTLK Katie!” 


POOR LONELY 


MAN, sir; 


ONLY Gl' ME BACK MY 
Page riU. 


W'% 








0 

THE WRECKEES. 

% 


A SOCIAL STUDY. 


BY 


/ 


GEO. THOS. DOWLING. 



PHILADELPHIA: 

J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY. 
1886 . 






Copyright, 1886, by Geo. Thos. Dowling. 


TO 

MY MOTHEE, 

WHO TAUGHT ME TO REVERENCE WHAT IS PURE, TO ENJOY 
WHAT IS MERRY, AND TO HATE WHAT 
IS UNREAL, 


I DEDICATE THIS BOOK 



FOEEWOED. 


This book deals with the lowly, but not the low. It 
is avowedly a novel with a purpose, though that purpose 
is not stated. If I have been able to perform the work 
of an artist, such a statement will not be needed ; if only 
the work of an artisan, it would not be heeded. In 
dealing with some of the social problems of the day it 
does not, of course, pretend to be exhaustive ; only sug- 
gestive. 

The Pall Mall Gazette once said, No man can tell 
beforehand how his neighbor will take a jest.^^ And 
from frequent observation I believe that this is true. 
Not very long ago a young lady was telling of her visit 
to the battle-field of Waterloo. I saw the well,^^ she 
said, into which, after the battle, they threw some of 
the wounded soldiers.’’ 

Did they kick the bucket ?” I asked. 

“ Oh, no,” she answered. There wasn’t any bucket 
there. They died.” 

And yet, however my story may be received by the 
public, the recreation of writing it has been to me an un- 
speakable blessing. While it has an earnest aim and is 
addressed, not to the trifler, but to earnest people, never- 
theless even Dr. Lyman Beecher was accustomed some- 
times, as he said, to let natur’ caper.” If the merriment 
should occasionally seem a little boisterous, I have no 
1 * 6 


6 


FOREWORD. 


excuse to offer. It is at least innocent and pure ; and 
more than once an hour’s diversion over the blunders of 
poor, good-natured Hans, or the ridiculous adventures of 
the Home Guard, has helped me to bear with a cheerful 
heart the pressing burdens of a very busy life. 

On the other hand, Katie and Mike have become to 
me living friends ; and often have I risen from my com- 
munion with them stronger to fight life’s battle, and, I 
am sure, a better man. And now I leave my book with 
a good-natured public. I have tried to do honest work 
and to be real. Whatever defects there may be (and I 
know there must be very many), I can conscientiously 
say, as did grim old Thomas Carlyle under similar cir- 
cumstances, It may be poor enough stuff, but it was 
the best there was in me.” 


COE'TElSrTS. 


CHAPTER I. 

PAGE 

In which the wind whistles up the chimney and the fire dies 

down on the hearth 11 

CHAPTEK 11. 

Showing how a friend in need is a friend indeed, and also how 
the friend indeed may sometimes suddenly become a friend 
in need 28 

CHAPTER III. 

Relating some further experiences of Michael, and in the mean 
time introducing us more intimately to the giddy young 
thing of uncertain age whom we first met in the last 
chapter 45 

CHAPTER IV. 

Porta’s fiight 68 

CHAPTER V. 

Mrs. Felix experiences physical prostration, accompanied hy 

an optical illusion, causing her to see stars 91 

CHAPTER VI. 

In which Mrs. Felix is considerably “shook up” with an 

earthquake 101 


7 


8 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER VI 1. 

PAGE 

Nature demands her pay 116 

CHAPTER YIII. 

Striking the trail 121 

CHAPTER IX. 

In which Number One interviews the relict of Number Two . 140 
CHAPTER X. 

Alone in a strange city 148 

CHAPTER XL 

Introducing two people whose home is very near heaven : up 

on the top floor of a tenement 167 

CHAPTER XII. 

A scene of gay festivity and wild hilarity, which the reader 
will doubtless recognize as being a leaf out of his own ex- 
perience 187 

CHAPTER XIII. 

At last 212 

CHAPTER XI Y. 

The story our grandfathers told 225 

CHAPTER XY. 

“ There’s nothing half so sweet in life as love’s young dream.” 235 

CHAPTER XY I. 

“A jewel of gold in a swine’s snout” 248- 

CHAPTER XYII. 

Who is he ? 263 


CONTENTS. 


9 


CHAPTEK Xyill. 

PAGE 

The mystery of a few letters 277 

CHAPTEE XIX. 

In which Mike meets some one, and is greatly surprised . . . 287 
CHAPTER XX. 

Too late I 308 

CHAPTER XXL 

An old friend arrives at the poor-house 316 

CHAPTER XXII. 

In court 327 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

Hans becomes initiated into the secrets of the bar 341 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Found out 1 353 

CHAPTER XXV. 

Guilty or not guilty ? 359 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

Mike 373 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

Strabelli 380 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

In which the bell rings, and, while the orchestra plays the 

wedding-march, the curtain begins to descend 389 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

The last ^95 


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THE WRECKERS. 


CHAPTER I. 

IN WHICH THE WIND WHISTLES UP THE CHIMNEY AND 
THE FIRE DIES DOWN ON THE HEARTH. 

A winter’s night, and snow everywhere ! Not as 
we have seen it on some quiet moonlit evening, covering 
the earth like a wedding-robe, while white banners hung 
from all the trees, and every door-sill and window was 
decked with satin, as for a royal marriage-festival ; but a 
winter’s night such as only they remember who, home- 
less and hungering, have crouched in some portal on the 
windward side of the street, whilst you and I, reader, and 
those we loved, have gathered about the roaring grate, 
and shivered as we heard the wind moaning like some 
dead man’s soul lost out in the darkness. 

Snow everywhere ! gathering in momentary drifts, only 
to be caught again and hurled rattling against the wdn- 
dow-panes, or sweeping up to the house-tops or down the 
city streets. In vain the solitary traveller, physician per- 
haps, or clergyman, on some errand of mercy, tries to pull 
his heavy cloak about him and make headway in the face 
of the storm ; a thousand unseen sprites pull the folds 

11 


12 


THE WRECKERS. 


from his numbed fingers, and, flapping them behind him 
like snapping whips, rush past him with shriek of weird 
laughter, dying away, at last, into a minor moan. 

It was still early in the evening. Most of the shop- 
keepers along the deserted street, concluding that no cus- 
tomers would venture out at such a time, had hastily 
secured the shutters in their place, bolted their doors, 
and retired to the living-rooms at the rear, where, as 
they heard the blinds rattling in their fastenings, they 
inwardly congratulated themselves that, after all, there 
was no place like home. Here and there an occasional 
gleam from the screened windows, and the boisterous 
songs from within, made needless the sign-board creak- 
ing above the door. Even these places, however, were 
more or less deserted, and the red light over the entrance 
flickered and sputtered in the passing gusts, as though 
protesting against the cruelty of its lonely watch on such 
a night as this. 

The Lord ha^ marcy on the poor this night 

The words were uttered in the Irish brogue, and in an 
undertone to himself, as Michael Barney, for ten years a 
resident and for six years a naturalized citizen and Demo- 
cratic voter of the United States, knocked the snow from 
his red, shaggy beard, shaking his head meanwhile, and 
then tightly folding his arms, like a seaman in a squall 
taking in all sail, bent his body to receive another blast. 
His, however, was not a craft which was likely to be 
wrecked in any ordinary storm. Six feet two inches high 
in his stockings, with calloused hands and iron sinews, 
having never known a sick day in his life (except when 
he was laid up for a month with a broken arm, received 
while stopping a horse running away in the street with 


THE WRECKERS. 


13 


two little children, whose lives he saved), a large, homely 
mouth, high cheek-bones, and bronzed face, — even the 
sprites of the storm seemed to hesitate before trying to 
play their wicked pranks on him. 

Has the reader ever sailed into Queenstown harbor and 
noticed the welcome mingling of rock and verdure and 
sunshine, — Faith, Hope, and Charity, done in stuff? 
That was Mike’s face. One did not have to know him 
long before finding him, like those bluffs, a great green 
giant, lit with sunlight. Unsuspecting and easily im- 
posed upon, the affairs of this life sometimes seemed 
strangely mixed to him ; for his practical insight, like 
his pantaloons, was always just a little too short. For 
some years after landing in America he had worked at 
hap-hazard jobs, until he finally received a position as 
coachman for an old gentleman in New York. His em- 
ployer, a man with an eye ever open for the heathen at 
his own door, had taken enough interest in him to teach 
him the accumulative value of small savings : so that in 
course of years he had become a capitalist on a modest 
scale, and was at this time an independent merchant to 
the extent of one humble but thriving corner grocery in 
the little city of Jenkinstown, not far from our great 
metropolis. 

He was considerably later than usual to-night on his 
way home ; for during the afternoon a messenger had 
brought a letter to him, written in a cramped hand and 
signed with the name of one of his former customers, 
Hans Yolgate, who had recently removed to the other 
end of the town, more than a mile away. The letter 
stated that he was very sick and about to die, and de- 
sired exceedingly to see his old friend once more. It 
2 


14 


THE WRECKERS. 


was a long walk on suck a night, and all the longer be- 
cause it led directly away from home. 

But it’s not Mike Barney that’s afeard o’ ye, ould 
Aurore Borealis,” he had said, while buttoning up his 
great-coat, which, though once black, was now in the 
sere and yellow leaf of a great-coat’s autumn-time. It’s 
not Mike Barney that’s afeard o’ ye, ould Aurore Bore- 
alis ; I’ve faced worse winds nor ye before, an’ I’ll face 
’em again, — bad luck to ye.” And he gave his slouch 
hat, which, in respect to decay, was the twin to his coat, 
another jerk to fasten it tight down over his ears. 

Patiently he had plodded his way through the snow 
and sleet until he had reached the door of Hans V olgate. 
Very quietly he had rapped against it, lest he should 
disturb the dying man. As no one appeared, however, 
his knocking had gradually become louder, until finally 
the door was suddenly thrown open while he was in the 
very act of performing on the panel a muscular protest 
against being kept any longer out in the cold. Surprised 
as he had been on not being admitted when he had been 
so urgently sent for, and when, therefore, it might have 
been supposed that they were looking momentarily for 
his coming, he was now still more surprised on being 
admitted. Who should he see standing before him, his 
long pipe in his mouth, his ruddy face lit up by the 
lamp which he held in his hand, but the very same 
round little German he had come to visit on his dying 
bed : a man, all in all, with whom health and content- 
ment seemed not merely to be .on speaking terms, but in 
relations of heartiest intimacy. 

So startled was he at the apparition that he did not 
move, but, with mouth partly open and arm still ele- 


THE WRECKERS. 


15 


vated, as it had been when recording the before-men- 
tioned protest, it was several seconds before he was able- 
to ejaculate, in slow, measured syllables, — 

Begorra 

The draught swept through the open door-way, extin- 
guishing the lamp and sending the fine snow scurrying 
along the floor. Hans failed fo recognize him in the 
sudden darkness, and so, taking his pipe from his mouth, 
exclaimed with an impatient voice, as he felt the wind 
playing hide-and-seek up his flapping pantaloons and 
over his bald head, — 

^^Vell! Vat you vants here? Vy donT you come 
ill 

Mike, wondering much, said nothing, but mechanically 
stepped inside, and, after stamping the snow from his 
boots and taking off his coat and hat, followed the Ger- 
man into the little sitting-room at the rear of the hall. 

^^Vy, Michael, mine old friend! How you vas?’’ 
exclaimed Hans, setting down the lamp, and running, or, 
rather, wabbling toward him with little, short steps, and 
holding out two little, short, fat hands, — Gracious 
Heavens ! vat vas bring you here on such a night like 
dis, by chiminey 

Well, I begin to belave it was the legs of a donkey,^^ 
he answered, edging round on one corner of his chair, 
and scratching his head, after having permitted his hand 
to be shaken. His friend evidently waiting for some 
further developments, he continued, his mind reverting 
to the fatal disease which carried ofi* his former master, — 
How’s yer kidneys ?” 

The look of wonderment increased in the eye of 
Hans. 


16 


THE WRECKERS. 


Mine kidneys ? Mine kidneys is all right.’^ 

How^s yer liver 

^^Mine liver? Oh, mine gracious ! Mine liver is all 
right too.’^ 

Put out yer tongue/^ still remembering his lamented 
master and the doctor. 

Hans was now more puzzled than ever. Scanning 
his visitor with a look partly amused and partly sus- 
picious, as though hesitating to decide whether he was 
playing a game or had suddenly gone stark mad, he 
exclaimed, — 

Pull out mine tongue, by chiminey ! Vat for I 
vants to pull out mine tongue for, hey ? Oh, sthop such 
nonsense like doz. Sit up to der fire, und haf a glass 
uf beer. You don’t been here before so soon for good 
vhile, mine friend.” 

Mike, with the solemn manner of one inwardly strug- 
gling with some great problem, slowly moved his chair 
nearer the hearth. Then he felt in his pocket and 
brought out a letter. What do ye mane by writin’ 
me such a letter as that?” he asked, with an injured 
tone. 

Plans scanned it carefully, and with enlarging eyes. 
When he reached the signature he read that two or three 
times. Then setting down his empty glass so hard as to 
make the other glasses ring, he exclaimed, — 

Michael, mine friend, I never wrote such a letter 
like dis before.” 

^M^aith, thin, it’s a moighty bad beginnin’ yer makin’ 
in yer ould age,” said the other. 

But I didn’t begin in mine old age. I vas told you 
dat shust now. I never did write such a letter like dis 


THE WRECKERS. 


17 


before ; never in mine life/^ Then, as a happy thought 
seized him, I can prove it too, pretty quick, right avay.’^ 

He took a pencil from his pocket and wrote his sig- 
nature. Then he copied some of the sentences from the 
letter. There was no mistake ; the chirography was al- 
together of a dilferent hand. 

Well, I wonder who wrote it, so I do,’’ murmured 
Mike, thoroughly convinced, but no less puzzled. What 
could he want to be trottin’ me way up here for, frazin’ 
me ears an’ me nose, an’ you sittin’ as well an’ hearty 
as any potato in ould County Kerry ? Bad luck take 
him, whoever he is !” 

Mike found it a little difficult to forgive Hans im- 
mediately for not being in a dying condition. It did 
seem at least that he ought to have had a jumping tooth- 
ache, if for no other reason than to make matters in this 
world appear less mixed. But to sfee him there well 
an’ hearty,” a round little reminder that he liad been 
duped ! It was several minutes before he could feel on 
any pleasant terms with him. Mike was not the only 
one who had had these experiences of viearious ven- 
geance. Yesterday, from my window, I saw an Ameri- 
can woman, whom the landlord had just been berating 
because she had not paid her rent, box her child’s ears 
the moment he had gone. Of course she meant it for 
the landlord, but the child w^as handy. 

He was not one to hold a grudge for long, however, and 
so finally, with the best of feeling on both sides, with many 
earnest entreaties from Hans that he should warm up with 
some beer, all of which entreaties, however, were steadily 
refused, he had departed ; and here we find him, almost 
home, piqued and perplexed, but meditating upon what 
b 2* 


18 


THE WRECKERS. 


a sad thing it would have been, after all, if his friend 
really had been cold and hungry and sick as the letter 
had stated ; and thus murmuring to himself, — 

^^The Lord ha’ marcy on the poor this night'!” 

Before long he came to a turn in the road not far from 
his own home. A dwelling stood on the corner, about 
twenty feet back from either street. It was a low cot- 
tage, or, rather, cabin, which a good many years ago had 
evidently once resolved to brush itself up and be decent ; 
but having long since become satisfied with a past ex- 
perience,” it was now as earthly as any of its neighbors, 
and from a bright moral-colored brown had degenerated 
into a sooty gray. A storm, however, is frequently a 
great purifier, whether of man or mansion, and the little 
snow-covered cabin to-night was to all appearances thor- 
oughly reformed. The red blaze from the fire shining 
out through the windows, the lamp on the table and the 
children gathered about it, all of which Mike could see 
as he walked up from the gate, drove away further ques- 
tionings concerning the mysteries of this life, and filled 
him only with that pure, quiet joy which ruost of us 
have experienced when the day’s work was over, and, 
plodding through the night and the tempest, we have 
suddenly caught the gleam of a baby face mingling with 
the fire-light of our own home. 

“ I’ll step in an’ see if the widee wants anything, an’ 
thin I’ll go home,” he thought. 

He did not need to knock more than onc‘e. Quickly 
the door was thrown open, and six stout little Irish 
hands were tugging at his fingers or his coat ; six stout 
little Irish legs were climbing on his lap, and three stout 
little Irish voices were giving him such a welcome as 


THE WRECKERS. 


19 


might have made the Emperor of all the Eussias choke 
with envy. 

Och, get oif o’ me, ye spalpeens !” he exclaimed, 
poking his fingers good-naturedly into the ribs of one, 
as if by way of warning to all. Don’t ye see it’s frozen 
I am intirely ? Whist now !” 

They understood it well, however ; his protests were 
only the flaunting of the red rag, inviting the conflict. 
At it they went in good earnest, tumbling off the chair, 
over on the floor, as we have seen a big bear playing 
with cubs. Even the fire in the grate seemed to burn 
brighter with joy and to leap in sympathy. The woman 
whom he had accosted when he first came in had con- 
tinued at her work, after exchanging simply a word of 
recognition, cleaning off the table in a slow, methodical 
manner, glancing occasionally at the bear and cubs as 
one who had become accustomed to their antics, and yet 
could scarcely approve of such conduct in a serious world 
like this. It’s a cowld night, Mrs. Carey,” said he at 
last, gathering the three cubs into his arms, and sitting 
up once more near the fire. 

Mrs. Carey answered that it was a cold night, poked 
up the grate, which needed no poking at all, and threw 
on another stick of wood, which was utterly super- 
fluous. 

She and her husband had emigrated from Kenmare 
several years later than Mr. and Mrs. Barney, and had 
been near neighbors to them in the old country. Drift- 
ing towards Jenkinstown, Mr/ Carey had found an op- 
portunity for steady work on a railroad then in process 
of construction, and had thus become a regular inhabi- 
tant of the place. There was little in common between 


20 


THE WRECKERS. 


him and Mike, except that they had hailed from the 
same village, and every traveller knows that that is a 
good deal. No special intimacy had existed between the 
families until Pat Carey was accidentally killed by fall- 
ing from a bridge. It was said that he had been drink- 
ing, which was not at all improbable. The helplessness 
of his family had drawn out Mike’s sympathy for them, 
and this had led him often to run in on his w^ay home 
of a stormy night, either to cut some wood and bring it 
into the house, or perform whatever chores a woman 
could not very well do. He was no less a welcome 
visitor from the fact that many a little package brought 
by the boy from the store arrived as a sort of John the 
Baptist, to proclaim his coming. 

^^An’ how are ye gettin’ on these times, Mrs. Carey ?” 

Oh, purty bad, purty bad,” she answered, with the 
air of a woman who, having lost the romance and hope- 
fulness of youth, now had naught but her conscience to 
help her forward. The breezes of life had all died out 
of her sails, and she could only pull wearily at the oar 
in a dead calm. 

‘^Ah, but don’t ye remember Father O’Flynn tellin’ 
us last Sunday fortnight that the way to be happy is to 
think o’ what we have, instead o’ what we haven’t? 
What would ye take, now, for this schwate little bundle 
o’ bread an’ butter an’ molasses ?” he added, digging his 
fingers once more into the ribs of the youngest of the 
trio, whose personal appearance showed that Mike, in 
his description, was a disciple rather of the realistic 
school than of the romantic. Then he broke into sing- 
ing, tapping with his hand on Biddy’s back, and beating 
time against the floor with his toe, — 


THE WRECKERS. 


21 


“ Then don’t he sorrowful, darlin’ , 

Oh, don’t be sorrowful, pray ; 

Tor takin’ the year all through, me dear, 

There isn’t more night than day.” 

Tossing the baby again, — 

^^Stop yer crowin’, ye young rooster; Pll chuck ye 
into the fire, so I will. Here he goes ! Och, yer pullin’ 
out me beard loike a garden o’ wades !” 

Widow Carey only drew a sigh, and went on removing 
the dishes. Presently she stopped, and, turning suddenly 
toward him, cried, ^^Oh, the unmindful crater that I 
am ! Have ye had yer supper, Moike ?” 

^^Niver moind about me supper. I’ll have that in 
good toime, whin I sit down wid me own Maggie forninst 
me across the table, an’ me little Katie on me knee.” 

Mrs. Carey drew another sigh, and worked away at 
the oar. ‘^It’s a long toime since we was childer to- 
gether in the ould country, Moike,” she said at last. 

There’s bin great changes since thin.” 

It seemed to introduce a new train of thinking. Yes,” 
he answered, great changes since thin.” 

As though partly divining his thoughts, she said, — 

How’s Maggie?” 

Purty well ; purty well, poor darlin’. Though she 
don’t seem as happy as she did whin I first knew her in 
Kenmare.” Then there was a long pause ; Mike looked 
into the fire as though he were looking a long way be- 
yond. Biddy put out her fingers to pull again at his 
whiskers. 

Hush, me little one,” he said ; Moike don’t want 
to play any more to-night.” 

They nestled closer into his lap, quietly looking up 


22 


THE WRECKERS. 


into liis face. Nothing could be heard outside except 
the storm; and within, the Widow Carey at the oar 
and the fire crackling in the grate. 

I sometimes think/^ he said at last, with his eyes 
still fixed on the flame, as though talking more to him- 
self than to his listeners, ^Hhat I didn’t do the roight 
thing in marryin’ Maggie, an’ takin’ her away from that 
rich ould squire of an unde who disowned her just be- 
cause she loved a poor Irish lad loike me. Faith, I 
ought to ha’ knowed better at the toime, for she was one 
o’ the quality. She could play on the plane, an’ sing, 
an’ write a foine hand, an’ she only siventeen at that. I 
was a poor chap, just gone twenty-si ven, an’ widout no 
edication to spake of. I moight ha’ knowed I was.niver 
fitted for one o’ the loikes o’ her.” 

You’re fit for a princess, Moike, so ye are,” inter- 
rupted the woman. Queen Yictore herself might be 
proud o’ the loikes o’ you,” stopping a moment on her 
way to the pantry. 

Well, I’ve always tried to be kind to her; bless her 
schwate soul !” 

I should think ye had tried to be kind to her ; — 
buyin’ a piane, wid a music-teacher besides ; — sellin’ yer 
boss an’ wagon to pay for it ; — an’ you needin’ it all the 
toime at the grocery; an’ not lettin’ her know nothin’ 
about it, nather, lest she moight feel bad !” 

Och, be still now. ’Twas selfishness intirely ; don’t 
ye suppose I’d carry me bundles all over town, wid me 
own legs, for the joy o’ seein’ one o’ the ould-toime smiles 
on her purty face ? It’s true I’ve always tried to be kind 
to her, an’ I always will ; for she’s dearer than me own 
heart’s blood, so she is ; but slie’s been a true an’ faithful 


THE WRECKERS. 


23 


wife to me. Sure it wasn’t my fault that I loved her ; 
for there wasn’t a boy in all Kerry County that wouldn’t 
ha’ been proud to ha’ had a wink o’ her eye ; but I ought 
to ha’ knowed better than to ha’ married such a schwate 
girl above me station, an’ bring her down to the level 
of a poor lad loike me. Heigho !” he sighed. 

Another silence. Strange what shadows a grate-fire 
will sometimes cast on the wall. The children, who had 
often romped with Mike, but had never seen him in a 
mood like this before, cuddled still closer to him, lest he 
should leave them altogether, he had seemed to go so 
far away. Presently he continued, still talking to that 
other self in the fire, — 

’Twould ha’ broke me heart not to ha’ had her for 
me wife. I’d lived twinty-siven years, an’ I’d niver 
found a schwateheart that I could love until I met her 
that June mornin’ swingin’ on her uncle’s gate. But I 
sometimes think that if some other feller, who knew 
more than I do, who was more of her equal loike, some 
feller loike that Signor Porta, who has such a dilicate 
skin, an’ plays the fiddle so nice, an’ can read story- 
books, an’ quote poetry, an’ tell all about what he’s seen ; 
I sometimes think that if I’d only left her alone for such 
as him ” 

I wouldn’t give the end o’ yer little finger, Moike, 
for a whole car-load o’ Signor Portas,” exclaimed the 
woman, snapping her dish-rag, thus pounding the pul- 
pit, as it were, by way of emphasis. ^^And I tell ye 
what it is, Moike Barney, ye’d better look out for that 
Signor Porta and yer Maggie, wid his fiddles and his 
pianes. Shure any man o’ sense would only need to 
look at the face on him to know what he is. I niver 


24 


THE WRECKERS. 


knew one o’ thim Italiens yet whose heart wasn’t as 
black as his skin.” 

Mike turned his face full toward her now. 

Look out for him ? An’ wid my Maggie ? Whist, 
woman; it’s stark, starin’ mad ye are. He may be 
black at heart : there’s lots o’ things in this world that I 
don’t know very much about; but do you suppose a 
black coal out o’ hell itself could lave a mark on the 
pure sun in the heavens ? Don’t ye niver let me hear 
ye say thim words again, Widee Carey. No ! poor, dis- 
inherited choild that she is, it’s her that’s all roight. 
It’s me that’s been all wrong. The Lord knows I give 
her all there is of me, but the Lord knows it’s little 
enough ; it’s little enough.” 

Just then the clock struck eight. 

Sure I must be goin’ now,” he added, quickly, get- 
ting up from his chair. What can I do for ye this 
night?” 

Without waiting for an answer, he went out and 
brought in several armfuls of fuel and laid them down 
by the fire. Then he caught each of the children in 
turn, tossed them three times toward the ceiling, dropped 
five candies apiece into their pockets, and started home. 

When he drew near the neat little story-and-a-half 
cottage, and the click of the gate-latch was heard as it 
swung shut after he had passed through, Bob, inside, 
who, missing his master, had been for a long time whin- 
ing at the door, scratching it with his paws, and then 
stopping to listen for his approach, broke into a loud 
bark, bounding from the door to the window, and from 
the window to the door again, wagging not only his 
great shaggy tail, but his whole body. No sooner had 


THE WRECKERS. 


25 

his master entered than he jumped up against him with 
both paws, exclaiming, in short, quick barks, just as 
plainly as a dog could exclaim, “ What in the world has 
kept you away so long 

Mike was somewhat surprised to find no light burning 
in the sitting-room, and to miss the voice of little Katie, 
who at such times usually acted as a reserve corps after 
Bob, the advance guard, having exhausted his ammu- 
nition, and having been compelled by the enemy to lie 
down,’^ had given a signal for reinforcements. 

Ah, good feller ! good feller patting him on the 
head and stroking him with both hands, come along, 
an’ we’ll find Katie an’ the little girl,” his pet name for 
the wife, ten years younger than himself. 

So he stepped into the next room, and then into the 
kitchen, the dog still bounding at his heels. They were 
not there, however, and the fire in the range had gone 
out. He went to the foot of the stairs and called, — 

Maggie !” 

But there was no response. The dog ran half-way up 
the steps, eying his master and playing a tattoo with 
his tail against the stair above him, and then ran down 
again. Mike scratched his head, as though searching for 
an idea, and chanced to remember that a few days be- 
fore Maggie had said to him that some time she intended 
spending the afternoon at a near neighbor’s, where she 
often went. 

Purty late for my little girl to be out,” he said, an’ 
it’s a bad night for Katie to be catchin’ cowld. They 
must be kept there by the storm, wonderin’ why I haven’t 
come afore this. Well, we’ll have a nice warm place for 
’em, so we will ; won’t we. Bob, old feller ?” 


26 


THE WRECKERS. 


Bob declared they would, emphasizing his assertion 
with many exclamation-points short and sharp. 

So singing to himself, or whistling, or talking to the 
dog, Mike put coal on the grate in the sitting-room, then 
he kindled the fire in the range, and toasted some cheese, 
and put on the kettle, that all might be ready for the tea 
to steep when they should come; for an old bachelor, 
finally converted from the error of his ways, has a handy 
knack at such things which the rest of us never learn. 

Sure I can fetch ’em in a minute, an’ it’ll all be 
smokin’ hot for ’em. It’s late, but they won’t have had 
their supper I know, for little Katie niver would consint 
to sit down to her evenin’ meal widout her father’s knee 
for a chair, an’ drinkin’ out o’ the same cup wid myself. 
Och, the daisy !” Then he set the table, and put the 
chairs in their places, brought in an extra lamp, and 
gave an additional poke to the fire. They’ll need some 
extra coverin’ such a night as this, so I’ll just step up- 
stairs an’ get some shawls out o’ the bedroom closet. 
No, Bob ! Come down here !” he exclaimed, as the dog 
bounded up before him. ^^Stay in there, an’ I’ll be 
back in a minute,” shutting the door of the sitting-room, 
into which Bob had unwillingly retired, and where he 
stood, whining, and then scratching with his paw, and 
then listening with his head turned interrogatively on 
one side. 

With a candle in his hand Mike went up the stairs, 
two steps at a time, whistling a strain of Kory O’More,” 
a copy of which has just caught his attention spread 
open on the piano. 

Poor schwate choild ; she was singin’ that for me, 
so she was,” he had murmured as he had glanced at it. 


THE WRECKERS. 


27 


with a touch of pride. He went into Katie’s bedroom, 
but the things were not in the closet as he had expected. 
The upper drawer of the bureau was open ; he glanced 
into it as he passed, and it was empty. He recrossed 
the landing at the head of the stairs into his own room. 
He had stopped whistling now. The closet-door there, 
also, was wide open as he entered, and he could see 
that that, too, was vacant. 

Maggie’s clothes gone, an’ Katie’s too ?” 

His own garments were laid out neatly on the bed. 
He felt a little dizzy, and his hand shook as he placed 
the candle down on the table. 

Maggie !” he exclaimed, quickly. Maggie !” 

He looked around as though she might still be there 
and he failed to have seen her. A pair of cuffs were on 
the bureau partially soiled, and a collar, and a ribbon he 
had bought her the day before. It was only a moment 
that his eye rested on these things, but in that moment 
he remembered how that was the very ribbon which she 
wore that morning when he bade her good-by, and how 
it had pleased him to find she cared enough for his gift 
to wear it so soon ; and the thought came to him that 
even the collar was the one he had pressed when he had 
put his arm around her neck and lifted up her pretty 
face for a last kiss. Mechanically he took them and put 
them in his side-pocket, not knowing what he did. A 
gust of wind shook the windows. A sense of loneliness 
oppressed him. He almost felt afraid, and half wished 
he had brought up Bob. Then his eye fell on a note. 
Strange he had not seen it before. His hand trembled, 
and he could scarcely read. It was in her handwriting. 
For a moment he felt assured as he glanced at the first 


28 


THE WRECKERS. 


line, — My dear Husband,^’ but he read on. A strange, 
sickening sensation stole over him. The letter dropped 
from his hands. He thought he was dying. It had 
suddenly become dark ; some one must be taking away 
the light. He was about to cry for help, but the choking 
in his throat prevented him. 

The hours had gone by since Bob had pricked up his 
ears and barked as he heard something fall heavily on 
the floor above him. Weary of waiting, he had at last 
stretched himself out before the fire, now dying in embers. 
The wind had fallen away into a low sob. One after an- 
other the lights had flickered, smouldered, and then gone 
out. Alas for the other light also, which went out of a 
human heart on that night ! 


CHAPTEK II. 

SHOWING HOW A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED, 
AND ALSO HOW THE FRIEND INDEED MAY SOMETIMES 
SUDDENLY BECOME A FRIEND IN NEED. 

It seemed like the trembling step of an old man 
which, toward morning, came slowly down the creaking 
stairs. Bob heard it, and recognized it as his master’s ; 
but even a dog has his periods of obtuseness when awak- 
ened out of a sound sleep. So, stretching himself as 
he arose, he yawned, and walked lazily toward the door. 
When Mike entered, the hands of the clock were point- 
ing to half-past five. 


THE WRECKERS. 


29 


More’n three hours afore the train starts/^ he mur- 
mured, seating himself by the hearth, and burying his 
face in his hands. This was a good sign : a man is past 
shivering when the frost has indeed touched his vitals* 
The crisis was over : he was to live, — to live and to 
suffer. Thou art a member of a large brotherhood, Mike. 

Having rekindled the fire and relit the lamps, he read 
to himself again the fatal letter : 

My dear Husband : 

Good-by. When you find this I will be far away. 
I was a mere child when I married you, and I thought 
I loved you. There is, however, nothing in common 
between us, and I have not been happy for a long time. 
I confess I am not happy now, but hope to be, in the 
company of Signor Porta. The life I have been living 
is smaller than the life I am fitted to live. Forgive me ; 
and, as soon as you can — forget me. 

Maggie.^^ 

The letter of a heartless, selfish woman ? Yes, and 
Maggie Barney was a heartless, selfish woman. Not 
that she had ever until now deliberately intended to be 
such ; only she had never deliberately intended not to be. 
The weeds had not been nurtured, but neither had the 
flowers, and so the weeds grew. Petted by a fickle uncle 
in whose home she had grown up, disowned by him when^ 
true to her training, she had married against his will ; 
caressed and humored by the noble, guileless soul whose 
greatest joy was to pour everything at her feet, — she 
had all her lifetime sat, a spoiled queen, claiming the 
prerogatives of royalty, and forgetting its duties. She 
3 * 


30 


THE WRECKERS. 


had never awakened to the fact of all facts in this uni- 
verse, that no self-centred life can ever be helpful or 
happy, — that the only open sesame to this great mystery 
of being is self-sacrifice, and that he who would find his 
life must indeed first lose it. Hers had simply been that 
natural gravitation of character which always comes 
from the absence of a noble purpose. Thus, through all 
these years, the mine had been secretly preparing, and 
then Fate easily provided a Porta to light the fuse. 
The translation of a French novel lay open on the 
table. It was well thumbed, and on the fly-leaf was 
written the name of her betrayer. Mike tore out the 
leaf and threw the book into the fire. 

It was you who writ me that lyin’ note an’ sint me 
off on a fool’s errand, that ye moight have more toime 
to get away wid yer plunder.” 

Then, as a fresh sense of his loss came over him, his 
head sunk upon his arms on the table, and he sobbed 
aloud. Bob came and stood beside him, laying his neck 
across his knee, and uttering a low whine. God be 
thanked for sympathy, even from a dog ! How often 
have these dumb brutes saved the utter breaking of a 
human heart ! Mike heard the cry, and, stroking his 
head, said, — 

Bob, ould feller, you won’t lave yer master because 
he’s ignorant an’ don’t know nothin’, will ye ? There’s 
nobody could coax you away from him, is there ?” And 
he laid his face close down to the dog’s, who licked his 
cheek. ‘^Ah, but I didn’t think anybody could coax 
her away, either. I didn’t, — for sure I didn’t. An’ 
they’ve taken our little Katie, Bob; an’ I’ll niver see 
ye playin’ an’ rompin’ wid her no more, as I’ve seed ye 


THE WRECKERS. 


31 


SO many times in this very room/’ And again, as the 
picture of those happy days presented itself, his great 
heart heaved and the sobs shook his frame. On the 
mantel stood the clock, surmounted by a crucifix, his 
last Christmas present to Maggie, and above it a picture 
of the Virgin Mary. A prayer-book lay on the table. 
As he took it up it chanced to open to the Devotion 
of the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin.” Reverently he 
knelt and repeated the prayer ; 

O Holy Virgin, example of patience, by the most 
painful carrying of the cross, on which thy Son, our 
Lord Jesus Christ, bore the heavy weight of our sins, 
obtain for us of Him, by thy intercession, courage and 
strength to follow His steps, and bear our cross after Him 
to the end of our lives. Amen.” For a long time he 
remained kneeling, with his eyes closed and his hands 
clasped. Who shall say that that prayer from one of 
earth’s desolate ones fell with broken wing before it 
reached the throne, shot through with heaven’s arrows, 
because a soul untutored had addressed it to the Mother 
Heart of God ? 

As soon as the day had dawned Mike started for the 
residence of Father O’Flynn, with the dog following 
through the snow at his heels. While there was not 
much danger of any of his neighbors being out so early 
in the morning, he nevertheless chose the back streets, 
for he wanted to be sure of meeting no one whom he 
knew. The wounded stag seeks a hiding-place. When 
he reached the parsonage he found that the priest had 
gone away, and would not return for a week or a fort- 
night ; so he turned his steps toward the house of Hans 
Volgate, stopping at the store on the way to arouse Pete, 


32 


THE WRECKERS. 


who was the boy, and caution him to look after the 
Careys, and to take care of Bob and the customers till 
his return. It was yet early when he came again to the 
German’s door which he had so recently left. 

Vy, Michael, how you vas once more?” exclaimed 
that individual. ^^Vat haf bring you here so soon 
already ? Haf dose peoples wrote some more letters dot 
I vas gone mit der consumption, uh ?” placing his hands 
on either side his fat little stomach and laughing good- 
naturedly. 

^^Worse’n that,” answered the other, with a grave 
countenance. 

‘^Vorse as das! Vat could be vorse as das? Haf 
they said dot I vas run for Congress ? Oh, no ; dot 
vas too badly. Ha ! ha ! Perhaps I haf killed mine 
grandmudder und eat up mine little childrens, hey ?” 

^^Hans, can ye kape a sacret?” asked Mike, with a 
sigh, involuntarily lifting his hand, as though deprecating 
his friend’s merry mood. 

dinks I can, Michael. I dinks I can keep a 
secret, und every dings else vat I can lay mine hands on 
besides. Sit down, my friend, und haf a glass o’ beer.” 

Mike fidgeted in his chair as though scarcely knowing 
how to begin, and looked uneasily around, fearful that 
his words might be overheard. When he had convinced 
himself that all the doors were shut, he said, solemnly, — 

“ Hans, I ha’n’t got no home no more!” 

Gracious heavens, was you burned out on such a 
night like dis, by chiminey ?” throwing up his little fat 
hands and looking serious. 

No, Hans ; worse’n that.” 

Yorse as das ! Every dings seems to be vorse as das. 


THE WRECKERS. 


33 


Yat is der matter, mine friend ? Speak out, und tell me 
right avay quick/' 

I lia'n’t got no wife no more, Hans." 

“ Dead already ? Und since last night ?" 

‘‘ Worse'n that, Hans." 

Yorse as das, again? Not dead, but v(yrse as das! 

Michael, mine old friend, you don't mean dot — dot " 

And he drew his chair hastily closer up to the other and 
looked anxiously into his face. 

Yes, I do, Hans ; that's just what I do mane. The 
Lord ha' marcy on her poor soul ! She and my Katie 
went away last night." 

She und your Katie ? She und your Katie ? und — 
und — und " 

Signor Porta." 

For a few moments they sat in silence, Mike with his 
eyes fixed on the floor and Hans gazing earnestly at 
Mike. Then springing up, he exclaimed, — 

Michael, put on your tings right avay quick. Ye 
vill find vere dey haf gone. Ye vill chase dem till ve 
catch dem, if ve haf to go to hell to get dem. Put on 
your tings, Michael ! Put on your tings ! I vill go 
mit you right avay." 

They could very easily have caught the 8.50 train, 
even had it been on time. As it was two hours late on 
account of the storm, they were compelled to wait im- 
patiently at the station. Inquiry at the office on the 
part of Hans elicited the fact that the fugitives had pur- 
chased tickets to New York. As the passengers had 
been very few from Jenkinstown on that stormy day, 
the agent could readily identify them from the descrip- 
tion which was rendered. 


34 


THE WRECKERS. 


Thither the two men followed, Mike vainly expos- 
tulating from time to time with his excitable friend, 
lest by his bursts of indignation he should publish the 
elopement, which he himself most anxiously sought to 
conceal. 

Be aisy, Hans,’^ he pleaded ; be aisy, for little 
Katie’s sake, ye know, and the poor guirl’s herself. It’s 
very badly she’s feelin’ before this, I’m sure ; an’ if she 
should be pinitent, yer know, while she niver could be 
to me the white blossom that she once was. Lord bless 
her, I don’t want to see her ruined before the world.” 

As they neared their destination, the question arose as 
to the next steps to be pursued. Hans was in favor i^f 
going directly to the detectives’ office and securing their 
assistance ; but Mike would hear naught of this, through 
his fear of the fact becoming public. It was finally de- 
termined, therefore, that Hans should himself assume 
the r6le of a detective; whereupon he carefully noted 
down in his memorandum-book the minute description 
which Mike furnished of the parties, whom he himself 
had only casually seen. 

When the cars drew into the station on the Jersey side, 
it was a time of intense excitement to the susceptible 
German. He was tremblingly alive to the responsibility 
he had assumed, of the necessity of wasting no moments 
and neglecting no clue. He could not even stand still 
while they were crossing the river, but paced up and 
down the ferry-boat with the glowing eagerness of the 
hunter already on the scent of the game. 

Hans, be aisy ; plaze be aisy !” Mike earnestly 
whispered, as his friend approached wffiere he stood, 
shifting from one foot to the other. Don’t ye see 


THE WRECKERS. 


35 


they’re all lookin’ at ye? Faith, they’ll be guessin’ our 
sacret, an’ the poor guirl ’ll be ruined intirely, so she 
will, before the day’s out. Be aisy, I tell ye, be aisy !” 
But he might as well have tried to silence Niagara with 
an argument or quench Vesuvius with a blotter. 

“Cab, sir? — cab? — cab? cab, sir? cab? cab? cab?” 
came from a dozen voices as they landed, whose owners 
appeared ready to seize them by force and hurry them 
each into his own conveyance, nolens volens. 

“No, ve don’t vant no cab,” said Hans, motioning 
them away. Then he paused, looked down, placed one 
finger by the side of his nose, and thought. A happy 
idea had seized him. 

“Michael,” he whispered, after hastily leading that 
individual into an obscure corner, — “ Michael, if ve could 
find vhich one uf dem fellers mit der cab took avay dot 
couple mit der hotel, ve could track dem right avay, 
pretty quick.” 

There was no time to lose; the suggestion was cer- 
tainly a good one ; so it was determined that Hans 
should again brave the Gatling-gun battery of human 
voices, capture one prisoner at a time, and lead him in 
to be interrogated quietly in the waiting-room. “ The 
woman who hesitates is lost.” Hans seemed to be in 
danger of the same fate as, stepping into their midst, he 
was greeted with a like volley as before. 

“ Cab, sir ? cab ? cab, sir ? cab ? cab ? cab ?” 

With the sense of his responsibility resting upon him 
and the importance of decisive action, he was seized with 
what the Western hunters call “ buck fever,” — an expe- 
rience which comes to the uninitiated sportsman when 
the game seems dangerously near, and he stands, trem- 


36 


THE WRECKERS. 

bling in every joint, without pulling his trigger, and 
scarcely conscious whether he is hunting or being hunted : 
his mental hopper being so stuffed that while there may 
be a plenty of wits there, none of them can run out to 
be ground into action. Most of the people had gone, so 
that to the eyes of these disappointed Jehus Hans stood 
for a forlorn hope. They noticed his confusion, and 
at once surrounded him. One touched him on one 
shoulder, and when he was about to talk with him 
another touched him on the other, while a third jumped ^ 
on the box of his carriage, drove it up, and cried, as he 
leaped down and opened the door, Here you are, sir ; 
here you are. Take^e any place in’e city want to go. 
Step right in, sir ; step right in.^^ 

I don’t vant you already,” he finally exclaimed, flour- 
ishing his arms as vigorously as the previously-mentioned 
sportsman flourishes his legs when, awakening from his 
stupor, he sees the buck” or grizzly” charging upon 
him. 

I don’t vant you already,” he repeated, pulling him- 
self away. Then, as a fourth man came to add his so- 
'licitations to the rest, “Un I don’t vant you, too. I 
don’t vant anybody,” still swinging his arms. Finally 
forgetting all caution, he shouted, vants der man 
vat took dot runavay couple mit der little girl, last night, 
to der hotel around.” 

From the number of responses one would certainly 
have imagined that the day previous had been Hymen’s 
birthday, or at least some grand anniversary in his honof, 
and that every vehicle had been employed in conducting 
runaway couples to his shrine. At last two were se- 
lected who, from the description furnished by Hans, gave 


37 


THE WRECKERS. 

positive assurance, each for himself, that he could find 
the parties for whom they sought. One vehemently de- 
clared that he had taken them to the Astor House, while 
the other just as zealously affirmed that he had driven 
them to the St. Nicholas. So Mike drove off with the 
first, leaving his friend to follow in company with the 
second, having previously arranged that the last-named 
hotel, the St. Nicholas, should be the place of ultimate 
rendezvous. Hans entertained a painful consciousness 
as he drove away that, in his efforts at secrecy, he had 
attracted about as much attention as he possibly could ; 
and being thus out of humor with himself, was, like the 
unsuccessful star^^ after the play, ready to denounce all 
the rest of the troupe. 

This latent consciousness of dissatisfaction made him, 
moreover, all the more susceptible to the sallies of the 
disappointed drivers who were left behind, and, by caus- 
ing him to manifest a spirit of irritability, invited their 
attacks. 

Good-by, Sauerkraut shouted one. 

Oh, Limberger Kase exclaimed another, turning 
away his head and assuming an expression of disgust. 

The little German shook his fist out of the window, 
and shouted something back which they failed to hear, 
and only greeted with a derisive laugh. 

At last he arrived at his destination, and stepped out, 
inwardly resolving that he would not again on any ac- 
count be betrayed into a publication of his secret. Hav- 
ing dismissed the driver, he walked cautiously and with 
studied calmness toward the clerk’s office, and read care- 
fully the list of arrivals for the previous day. His heart 
throbbed violently as his eye rested on the signature of a 
4 


f 


38 


THE WRECKERS. 


gentleman who, with his wife and child, had engaged 
apartments on that date. True, the name was different, 
but that was to be expected. Old names are like old 
wash-rags : when they become too black they are thrown 
away. It is easier to get a new one than to clean up the 
old. 

Vat kinds uf peoples vas doze?’^ he asked. 

What kind of people are those replied the clerk, 
stopping^ for a moment in his writing to glance at the 
register, and then looking out from under his eyebrows 
at Hans with that peculiar affability which characterizes 
certain persons when they find themselves placed in some 
position of small authority. I don’t know what kind 
of people they are. Do you suppose I know everybody 
that comes to this hotel ?” 

I mean vat kinds uf peoples vas doze?” tapping his 
finger emphatically on the open page. ^^Vatvos der 
color uf der hair ?” still resolving not to reveal his secret 
on any account, but eager to unravel the clue. 

don’t know the color of their hair, either. Do 
you take me for a barber-shop ?” And the man went on 
writing. 

Failing to find the information he sought, he decided 
to investigate for himself. So, taking the number of the 
apartment, he strolled into the reading-room a few mo- 
ments, that he might divert the clerk’s attention, and then 
walked unobserved up the stairs. It was a corner room 
at the crossing of two passages, and Hans concluded, 
from the position of the doors, that it could be entered 
from either one. While he was cautiously approaching, 
a gentleman turned the corner near where he stood and 
brushed past him. 


THE WRECKERS. 


39 


Dot vas him, mitout no mistake,” he muttered hastily 
to himself. Und he must haf corned out uf dot door 
on der odder side.” This suspicion was confirmed as he 
glanced at the description of Porta, which he held in his 
hand : ^^lack curly hair, dark features, medium height, 
and a seal ring on his little finger.” 

Dot vas him, mitout no mistake,” he whispered 
again, quickly, hesitating whether to follow or to await 
his return and proceed with his investigations. Having 
decided on the latter course, he stepped softly up to the 
door nearest him, which was partly open, and looked in. 

Across the room there was a child asleep in a little 
cot. 

Poor little Katie ; all tired out mit der cold journey 
und strange experiences,” he murmured, shaking his fist 
toward the stairs down which the man had disappeared. 

He could not be certain, however, that the sleeping 
infant tallied with the description without seeing it closer 
at hand. He stopped and listened, looking cautiously 
about the room, the whole of which he could clearly ob- 
serve from where he stood. A curtained bedstead was 
in one corner, and the cot not far from it, and near that 
an open door, which he supposed led into the other pas- 
sage. He concluded to pass quietly through the chamber 
and out of that door, stopping a moment to study the 
child^s features on his way. On tiptoe he stole noise- 
lessly in. To his intense chagrin the child did not cor- 
respond to the description at all. That demanded golden 
hair but here was black. That called for a girl ; but 
from the jacket and the part on the side of the head this 
was evidently a boy. 

Just as Hans had made these discoveries, a rustling 


40 


THE WRECKERS. 


was heard within the curtains of the bed. Some one was 
surely there. He had only time to escape through the 
door into what he supposed would prove to be the pas- 
sage-way. Alas ! it was a large closet ; and instead of 
leading to liberty, presented the best of all prospects of 
leading to the station-house. 

Retreat was out of the question, for just then the cur- 
tains parted, and a middle-aged lady, in her pink flannel 
wrapper, who had awakened from a morning nap, stepped 
out on the floor, rubbed her eyes, yawned, and walked 
toward the looking-glass to arrange her toilet before 
lunch. The bewildered Hans, trembling in every limb, 
with the perspiration breaking out over his forehead, 
quickly crept behind some hanging garments, which he 
hoped would afibrd a temporary shelter till some way of 
escape might present itself. Unfortunately, the space 
between the wall and the drapery was very limited, and 
the door being wide open, he shook with terror lest he 
should be discovered. Peeping out from between the 
garments, suddenly jerking back his head whenever she 
turned in his direction, he endeavored to make himself 
as small as possible by drawing in his breath, standing 
very straight and on his tiptoes, throwing back his arms, 
with sundry other devices. For the first time in his life 
he grievously lamented his healthy appearance. He who 
on that very morning had prided himself on his hale 
and hearty rotundity was now emulating as his ideal the 
unsubstantial shadow, which with length and breadth 
has no thickness at all ; for while he could manage his 
shoulders and, with a reasonable degree of satisfaction, 
his feet, in spite of his best efibrts to be slender his 
stomach would obtrude, making a curved line in his 


THE WRECKERS. 


41 


hanging screen, which he rightly deemed highly perilous 
to his safety. 

He was now utterly discomfited; for, added to his 
danger, he was obliged to recognize the fact that he had 
been following an entirely false clue. The lady, instead 
of being young and fair and beautiful, was, on the con- 
trary, quite angular and unornamental. Her locks, in- 
stead of falling in rich raven tresses about her head, 
were red, scant, and grizzly. The forehead, instead of 
being low and wide, was narrow and bald, and appeared 
to the utmost advantage in that respect, as the hair was 
drawn tightly back and screwed up into a little bulb be- 
hind, which reminded him, even in his moment of terror, 
of the ornamental mouldings he had sometimes seen on 
the side of a round-topped hitching-post. The perspira- 
tion w'hich was already bathing Hans from head to foot 
started out afresh as he saw her move toward the door 
leading into the hall, shut it, and turn the key. He 
shuddered to think of his situation. She then proceeded 
to take several auburn curls from the drawer where they 
had lain secreted and fasten them over the bald spot in 
front and the bulb behind. Now, 

“ Oh, hail, horrors, hail !” 

she turns toward the closet — approaches — stopping only 
for a moment at the wash-stand to adjust certain useful 
ornaments, which, as she opens her mouth, seem to glide 
in like living things and crawl into their places. She 
draws near — nearer — nearer still. Hans thinks he can 
hear her breathe, but is determined she shall not hear 
him. With agony of resolution he gathers himself up 
into his very thinnest proportions, but all to no avail. 

4 * 


42 


THE WRECKERS. 


She brushes right against him on her way to the other 
end of the closet. She has passed by ; he was unnoticed ! 
She brushes against him on her way out : she has gone ! 
He begins to breathe more freely. ^He almost feels 
happy ;/for what is happiness, very often, but less misery | 
But behold, she is coming back ! She stands and sur- 
veys the very apparel which forms his sole protection, 
while she deliberates as to which garment will most add to 
her attractiveness at the lunch-table. Her eye falls upon 
the bulging curvature, which looks as though some great 
rag-bag were hung out of sight against the wall. With 
feminine curiosity she thrusts her fist against it. Lo, 
all is over. The crisis is reached. Hans, who was not 
prepared for so sudden an attack, suffered to escape his 
lips a distinct grunt. I will not attempt to describe in 
detail what ensued. The screams of the frightened 
woman brought him from his hiding-place. In vain he 
attempted to explain ; her shrieks drowned his voice. 
The scuffle of many feet was heard approaching from 
without. Thieves ! thieves ! thieves she cried, run- 
ning to the door and unlocking it. Thieves ! Bur- 
glars ! Murder ! Help ^ The first to enter were two 
porters, who took it for granted that if 

“ Thrice is he armed who hath his quarrel just,” 

the converse was equally true, and he who hath his quar- 
rel just ought to be thrice armed. So one with the coal- 
scuttle and shovel, and the other with the poker and 
tongs, valiantly approached the little man, and while 
dancing round him, striking at him from a safe distance, 
and then precipitately retreating, joined in the shout of 
murder. 


THE WRECKERS. 


43 


There was no danger of the house not being aroused ; 
the boy in the crib, thus awakened from a sound sleep, 
added a testimony of his own in the major key. Hans 
would doubtless have suffered much rough treatment had 
it not been for the timely arrival of two policemen who 
had been summoned from the street. The prisoner was 
immediately handcuffed, preparatory to being marched 
away to jail. 

What’s your name, mum, please ?” said one of the 
officers to the lady. 

My name’s Mrs. DeCamp : Mrs. Colonel Squealum 
DeCamp,” she said, and entered forthwith into an ac- 
count of the attempted robbery. 

I suppose you’ll be present, mum, to prefer the 
charges ?” 

Prefer the charges against that rascal ?” she answered, 
putting her hands up to her hair and thinking of her 
teeth; wondering whether he had discovered the little 
deception, which for some years she had sacredly cher- 
ished as a family secret. Of course I will. Just as sure 
as my name’s Mrs. Squealum DeCamp.” 

Go way mit you !” Hans exclaimed, trying to release 
himself from his novel situation. Go way mit you !” 

Yes, that’s just what you will do : go way with us,” 
replied one of the men, tightening his grip, and threat- 
ingly lifting his club as he dragged him along, with a 
crowd following at his heels, part of whom declared he 
had killed five men, while others limited it to only two. 

I did not vant to steal nodings,” he persisted. 

Oh, no ! You didn’t want to steal ! Of course not. 
You belong to a Sunday-school, don’t you? In the in- 
fant class, on the top row, among the little innocents, 


44 


THE WRECKERS. 


maybe Then, not noticing the frequent interruptions 
of his prisoner, he continued, Oh, yes, of course ! You 
was only playin’ a friendly game o’ hide-an’-seek with 
the old lady, wasn’t you? You was just about to cry 
Peek-a-boo when she jabbed you in the stomach, wasn’t 
you ? Oh, yes, we’ve seen your kind before, we have. 
Come, gallop !” 

I only vants dot vomans vat runned avay mit dot 
man,” he said, excitedly. 

Well, we’ve got her down here. A dozen of ’em ; 
all colors. You can take your pick. Come on ! None 
o’ your foolin’, mind,” lifting his club again as if to 
strike. 

Resistance was of no avail. For the first time in his 
life the poor good-natured German, who had scarcely 
ever had an enemy, was led as a prisoner into a damp 
cell, and compelled to receive his board and lodging at 
the public expense. 

Stretching himself out on the plank which was to serve 
him for a bed, he muttered, — 

^'Yell, I don’t like dis pretty veil; but poor Mi- 
chael ! I vender how he vill get on mitout mine help ?” 


THE WRECKERS. 


45 


CHAPTER III. 

RELATING SOME FURTHER EXPERIENCES OF MICHAEL, 
AND IN THE MEAN TIME INTRODUCING US MORE INTI- 
MATELY TO THE GIDDY YOUNG THING OF UNCERTAIN 
AGE WHOM WE FIRST MET IN THE LAST CHAPTER. 

When Michael had parted from Hans at the depot, 
he had driven directly to the Astor House. AVhether 
his personal interest made him more keen, or the addi- 
tional clue in his possession (Portals handwriting, which 
he had torn out of the novel) made his task easier, he 
certainly discovered, sooner than his companion had, that 
he was on the wrong track. 

^^Why donT you try all the hotels?’^ suggested the 
cabman, who, as he saw his troubled countenance, really 
began to feel considerable interest in the case. 

Well, I think I will,’^ he answered, drawing a sigh, 
and stepping into the carriage. The man snapped his 
whip, and the two rattled up Broadway. They halted 
at one place after another, but without success. It was 
late in the afternoon, when, bending over the counter of 
an obscure hotel, which at that time stood at the corner 
of Canal Street and the Bowery, Mike, wearied and dis- 
heartened by repeated failures, felt the blood rush into 
his face, and the book swim before his eyes, when he saw 
on the register not only the handwriting, but the very 
name of the man he sought. 

Strange that he should have written his own name ? 
No stranger, friend, than that which happens every day. 


46 


THE WRECKERS. 


Who could truthfully transcribe the story of a crime and 
omit the unaccountable blindness which it causes at some 
pivotal juncture, — the failure to cross the t or dot the 
i, by which the skilled forger in the very moment of suc- 
cess betrays the plot, which through long months has 
been crawling forward to the crisis : that mysterious in- 
sanity of sin which the ancients attributed to Nemesis, 
and we to the permissive providence of God ; that awful 
fact, emblazoned in every column of our morning jour- 
nals, of the self-destructive power of iniquity, when, like 
the swine of the Gadarenes, men once admit a demon, 
and rush violently down a steep place into the sea, to 
perish in the waters’^ ? 

Is that man here now he asked the clerk. 

That man here ? — er — no. He left about two hours 
ago.” 

Is the lady and the child here 

No, I don’t think they are. He paid his bill and 
ordered a carriage. I think they all went togetiier. 
Here, Charles, go up to forty-eight and see if the room 
is vacant.” 

Forty-eight’s. all gone, sir; I carried down the bag- 
gage myself,” replied the porter. 

And where did they go ?” cried Mike. 

Well, I heard ’em give notice to be carried down to 
the Neptune steamer ; but I fancy it must be pretty near 
time for her to sail.” 

Where ? A steamer across the ocean ?” He waited 
for no answer. Eushing out to his cab, he shouted, 
^^Take me down to the Neptune steamer ! Quick, now ! 
Quick ! Ten dollars if you get me there before it goes !” 

The driver lashed his horses : they dashed off down 


THE WRECKERS. 


47 


Canal Street toward the North River; Mike leaning 
forward, peering from the window, and occasionally call- 
ing for the driver to go faster, faster, still faster. Peo- 
ple on the sidewalk, startled by the rattle of the wheels 
and the clatter of the horses’ hoofs, turned to look after 
them. Now the crowd of vehicles obstructed their way. 
With clinched hands lifted in the attitude of prayer, the 
nails digging deep down into his palm, Mike ejaculated, — 
Oh, Holy Mother, don’t forsake me now. Save the 
poor darlin’ an’ the little choild. Why didn’t I know 
this before? Here I’ve bin wastin’ all the mornin’, 
an’ perhaps it’s too late.” 

Now they have passed through the labyrinth of car- 
riages. Once more the horses plunge forward, goaded 
by the lash — on toward West Street, skirting the river. 
Another delay — and just in sight of the wharf. A horse 
has fallen down two blocks away, and the long line of 
cars prevent all progress. An officer stands trying to 
preserve order among the constantly-arriving carriages. 
Mike hails him, — 

Has the Neptune steamer sailed ?” 

Neptune steamer ? Yes. Just sailed ten minutes ago.” 

He fell back in his seat, half conscious, like one who 
had received a sudden blow. The red-faced, burly driver 
descended from his box, and looked pityingly through the 
window. 

Where shall I take you now ?” he asked, in a voice 
which, for him, was tender. 

In a half-bewildered tone Mike gave directions to be 
carried back to his friend. The man remounted his box ; 
the horses slowly retraced their steps, and every sound 
of their hoofs reminded Mike that he was being carried 


48 


THE WRECKERS. 


each moment farther and farther away from the ship 
which had on board — his world. When they reached 
the hotel, the man opened the carriage-door as defer- 
entially as though he had within the queen of England. 

Lean on me,” he said, in a low voice, offering his arm. 

^‘Thanks, but I don^t need any help now,” replied 
Mike, stepping out on the pavement. His face was 
pale, and his body swayed as he spoke. 

For a long time he sat in the hotel waiting for Hans 
to appear. The storm without, which had ceased in the 
early part of the day, began to fall once more in large 
flakes. He stepped to the door and looked up. The 
skies were thick with those hanging, woolly clouds so 
portentous in these Northern climes. He shuddered as 
he thought of the ship riding into the night and the 
tempest. He contrasted it, rocking and plunging, the 
wind shrieking through its rigging, with those warm 
bright evenings which had seemed so happy, in the little 
home at Jenkinstown, before the tempter had cast his 
shadow across their hearth. He went back and sat in 
the deepening darkness, his thoughts busy with plans 
even yet of intercepting their flight, of securing the re- 
turn of Katie, and an asylum for Maggie when her 
betrayer should have cast her off. 

I niver could receive her back again, but if I could 
only get some message to her uncle I might make his 
heart soft for her, poor thing, whin the toime comes 
that she’ll need a pillow to die on. He could sind back 
little Katie wid some one, or I’d cross the ocean to bring 
her back, for the matter o’ that, an’ we two would live 
together to the end. If I could only have some place 
ready for poor Maggie across the sea whin the hour of 


THE WRECKERS. 49 

her need comes, I could at least be sure that she^d niver 
die o’ hunger or cowld.” 

They were already beginning to light the lamps in 
the corridor ; the gong sounded for supper. 

Sure it’s strange that he don’t come,” he said to him- 
self. I guess I’ll see if he’s been here.” 

As he walked toward the office, he stopped at the 
stationer’s stand to buy an evening paper, that he might 
read the list of passengers in the Fire-Fly.” A lady 
and gentleman stood there purchasing reserved seats for 
the evening performance at the theatre. 

Oh, it was perfectly horrid,” he heard her exclaim, 
as he stood near them awaiting his turn. ‘^Such im- 
pudence, too ! To think that little Dutch rascal should 
be shut up with me in my room when I was making 
my toilet. And who knows but he might have told 
those policemen all about it, and those dreadful reporters 
might get hold of it, and what if it should get into the 
newspapers ! It would be sure to be copied into the 
Groveland NewSj and how that awful Mrs. Flowers 
would crow. I wish I hadn’t given my name to that 
officer. Why, it was perfectly horrid !” 

Mike looked at the gentleman, who made no response, 
but, with an amused twinkle in his eye, simply puffed 
away at his cigar, running his finger across the card 
meanwhile which he held in his hand like a man who 
not only thoroughly understood his own strength, but 
his wife’s weakness, and having long since sized her, so 
to speak, had acquired the habit of treating her garrulous 
vanity by day much as he did her innocent snoring by 
night, — as something which she could not very well help, 
which did nobody any harm, and which a wise man 
c d 5 


50 


THE WRECKERS. 


would therefore philosophically accept as one of the in- 
evitabilities of life, and possibly as an object of quiet 
amusement. She was no more responsible for the cast 
of mind which caused the one than for the lengthened 
uvula which caused the other. In all probability they 
were simply heirlooms from some remote ancestor ; what 
we might term, if we were poetically inclined, echoes 
of antiquity.^’ Had her silly vanity been the prevailing 
feature of her character, it would doubtless have nause- 
ated him long ago ; but possessing, as she did, so many 
admirable qualities of the heart, he had learned to ignore 
these failings of hers, very much as a man who feels not 
exactly satisfied with the house he lives in may yet be 
willing to forgive the cramped kitchen on account of the 
pleasant parlor. 

As we shall meet her again, perhaps I might better 
describe her at once. She was by no means a stupid 
woman ; in fact, she was occasionally witty ; but one 
was inclined at such times to feel that perhaps they 
would rather have less wit with less consciousness of it ; 
it was so evident that the pinch of snuff was offered 
simply to exhibit the snuff-box. 

She was, moreover, a very kind woman, provided she 
could be made to forget herself and her own personal 
adornments long enough to comprehend the needs of 
others. She was, for example, always ready to assist at 
a funeral, or other emergency which might occur in the 
neighborhood, only she generally took so long a time to 
hook, button, and pin herself together in what she felt 
to be a becoming style, that, like those brilliant repartees 
which all of us have failed to utter, she came just a little 
too late. 


THE WRECKERS. 


51 


Furthermore, she was considerable of an authoress, 
and had even published some works of fiction at her 
husband^s expense : works which could be found at any 
time in red and gilt binding on her parlor table, and (I 
speak it only between ourselves) scarcely anywhere else. 
As for her heroines, they were always selected from the 
extremes of society, and there was not one among them 
with a crooked nose, or even a pug. They were invari- 
ably beautiful as a Madonna,’^ and whether born with 
the heritage of a duke’s daughter, or doomed to work 
by ignorant parents in a factory from five in the morn- 
ing till eight at night, they talked in periods and quoted 
French. They were, in fact, remarkable young women, 
for, however humble their origin, they were each one, 
when the time came for marrying the count, not only 
able to entertain duchesses in a becoming manner, but 
to dance with princes ; performing with equal degree of 
grace anything from a quadrille to the german. 

Her heroes all had heavy black moustaches and dark, 
piercing eyes. In carriage they were erect as an In- 
dian they never walked like the rest of us poor 
mundane mortals, but strode with measured stately 
pace.” They were usually convicted of some great crime 
in chapter first ; cruelly hung in chapter second ; mourned 
and found guiltless in chapter third ; mysteriously raised 
to life in chapter fourth ; and in chapters fifth to fifteenth 
inclusive, amid much misunderstanding with the heroine, 
who had so marvellously rescued them when all others 
supposed them dead, and who was made to declare em- 
phatically several times that, Oh, heavens, she should 
go mad, mad !” (which she never exactly did, though by 
her hysterical conversations, carried on in italics, she 


52 


THE WRECKERS. 


succeeded in convincing the reader that she was well 
under way), they talked a great deal of nonsense about 
the stars ; after which, in the sixteenth chapter, they 
went to the parson, and set up housekeeping on their 
own account. According to Mrs. Colonel DeCamp’s 
theory of life, the end was then reached, and there was 
no more to be done; so that lienceforth and forever 
they remained in red and gilt morocco on the parlor 
table, or tumbled helplessly about in plain cloth, in the 
garrets and cubby-holes of those chosen friends to whom 
a copy had been presented, “ with the compliments of the 
author.’^ 

In addition to these arduous labors, she had been what 
is commonly termed a society woman. During the life 
of her first husband. Colonel Squealum (whose name she 
still retained on account of its aristocratic associations in 
Groveland, where she lived), she had been accustomed, 
at least three nights of the week in the season, either to 
give a company or attend one ; varying the programme, 
occasionally, with a visit to the opera or theatre. Friday 
night she always reserved for prayer-meeting at the 
Presbyterian church ; for, as she often said to herself, 
when a fit of indigestion or a headache made her thought- 
fully pious, ^^she did not want to be so swallowed up 
in the gayeties of this wicked world as to neglect her 
religious duties.^^ Such periodic attacks of holiness, 
however, were not of a malignant type, and generally 
yielded speedily to the magic influence of a blue pill. 

Thus, her evenings at home were confined to Saturday 
and Sunday. At the present time she had no children ; 
the boy who had played the part of the siren, to lure 
Hans to his woe, being her nephew, temporarily left in 


THE WRECKERS. 


53 


her charge. When her only child by her first husband, 
young Roderick Rosevelt, died, the doctor described the 
cause of his early demise very clearly to the stricken 
Squealums by a number of Latin terms, any one of 
which sounded sufficiently fatal ; but in the bosom of 



his own family he stated 


disease was too much nurse-girl and too little mother.” 
It was not strange, therefore, after these years of gayety, 
that she should have somewhat withered. True, her hair 
(paid for with hard cash) at this present time fell in 
rich, golden profusion over beautiful eyebrows and rosy 
cheeks (Lubin’s best ; warranted not to rub off), and 
when she appeared at a ball or the opera she was still 
as much like a blushing bride as on that evening long 
ago, when all the aristocratic circles of Groveland had 
driven to her father^s mansion to see her come out.” 
The beholder, however, if he was at all observant, would 
be likely to be reminded of a night-blooming cereus pre- 
served in alcohol. 

Her present husband was a quiet, shrewd man, of far 
greater insight than his predecessor, and was five years 
her junior, having married her for her money. A year 
after the wedding he had prevailed upon her to transfer 
all her property into his hands, for, as he said to himself, 
nobody knows what may happen.” Accordingly, he 
was at this time a director in one of the Groveland banks, 
and gave good promise in the future of becoming its 
president. Thus being in such solid circumstances with 
the world, he could very well afford to puff quietly at 
his Havana, and endure with reasonable good nature her 
loquacious prattle. 

It’s perfectly horrid ! The awful thing !” she re- 


6 * 


64 


THE WRECKERS. 


peated. ^^That he should come crawling up there. I 
don’t see why they don’t shut up all such people.” They 
walked away toward the dining-room, she giving her 
head a final shake, that her curls might be in the proper 
degree of orderly disorder to create the right impression 
of negligL 

After purchasing the paper and glancing hurriedly 
at the Fire-Fly” list of passengers, Mike hastened to 
the clerk’s desk, and made inquiry concerning Hans. 
That personage, in replies which, in their brevity and 
crispness, sounded like the crackling of pop-corn when 
sufficiently heated, conveyed to him a statement of the 
occurrences of the afternoon, and at his further request 
informed him where he would be likely to find his 

friend,” emphasizing this last word, and scanning care- 
fully his physiognomy, tucking a copy of it away mean- 
time in his mental repository, as the banker does with a 
bad bill, for future reference in case of need. 

It was not long before Mike had found his way to the 
station-house wffiere Hans was confined. The cries of a 
drunken woman could be heard as he entered, coming 
up from below ; she had been arrested as the result of 
imbibing ten glasses of lager beer, and was vociferously 
calling for somebody to come and bail her out. After 
considerable effort he obtained permission from the ser- 
geant in charge to see the prisoner, whom he sought at 
the door of his cell, in company with an officer. The 
unfortunate little German was pacing backward and for- 
ward, by no means pleased with his new quarters, but 
grieved most of all by the loss of his pipe, which had 
been taken from him while they were searching for his 
burglar’s set of skeleton keys. 


THE WRECKERS. 


55 


When he heard the sound of footsteps and the un- 
locking of the gate at the end of the corridor, and saw 
the light appearing, he pressed the side of his face up 
against the bars of his cell-door, peering down the alley- 
way to see if it could be interpreted into a beam of hope. 
As Michael drew near, his face brightened up, and, 
thrusting his hand out, he exclaimed, ^‘Vy, mine old 
friend, how you vas again? Gif me you hand. Dis 
vas awful bad, don’t it ? Haf you find dem peoples ? 
Dot vill oxplain it all.” 

Mike repeated the story of his adventures as clearly 
as he could, without conveying too much information to 
the policeman who stood beside him. AYhen he had 
finished, the last spark of hope had disappeared from 
the face of Hans. 

Dot vas too bad,” he murmured, shaking his head 
thoughtfully. You don’t feel very goot?” 

No, I don’t,” said Mike, 

So do I once more nodding his head mournfully 
from side to side. 

The officer turned away and laughed. Mike saw it, 
and thought he might prove friendly. 

He’s as innocent as a babby,” he remarked, pointing 
to Hans. 

Yes?” replied the other, laconically, smiling as he 
glanced at the prisoner’s baby-like proportions. 

Isn’t there any way he can be let out ?” 

Well, he might get bail ; or, if the parties should 
refuse to make a charge before the case is called, of 
course he wouldn’t be held.’' 

Vat for I vants to be held for, by chiminey?” ex- 
claimed the German, excitedly. I vas only dere lookin’ 


56 


THE WRECKERS. 


for dot baby. Do you tinks dot jury vill hold me ven 
I told dem dot? Yould I go crawlin’ in dere like a 
viper, lookin’ at dot vomans mit her teeth out und a 
forehead mit a head all round, uh ?” 

Mike’s thoughts reverted to the conversation he had 
overheard an hour before. 

Would ye tell that to the jury?” he asked. 

I vould dell dem all about it, shust like as it vas,” 
replied the honest German. 

Mike scratched his head, but said nothing. It would 
be scarcely proper to say that he thought anything. His 
mental processes were far different from the lightning 
which shineth out of the east, even unto the west.” 
But there appeared against his intellectual horizon a far- 
away speck, as of a small bird, like a carrier-dove bring- 
ing a message. What it was he could scarcely guess 
himself, so he very wisely kept his own counsel till he 
should have observed what this strange thing might 
be. 

Good-by, Hans,” he said, sorrowfully, at length, as 
the bird approached no nearer. Kape up your courage, 
me boy : I’ll be wid ye in the mornin’, though the Lord 
knows how I’ll spind this night. If it was to die ye 
was afore the dawn, I’d gladly be changin’ places wid 
ye, so I would.” 

^^Nefer mind some tings about me, mine friend,” 
replied Hans. If you vas only caught dot rascal, I 
don’t vas nefer so happy in mine life.” 

As Mike passed through the sergeant’s room he 
asked, — 

Suppose nobody should appear agin that man, would 
he be let to git away ?” 


THE WRECKERS. 


57 


Yes/^ replied the other ; if no charges were 
brought, of course he would be released/^ 

Michael returned straight to the hotel, and for a long 
time sat and thought. Meanwhile the bird drew nearer, 
and when he had at last delivered his message, Mike 
discovered it to be a suggestion that the plan now to 
pursue was to make a personal call on Mr. and Mrs. 
DeCamp. So once more he approached the indi vidual 
with the pop-corn manner of speech, who acted in the 
capacity of clerk, and asked, — 

Is Mr. DeCamp at home 

Will he be home to-night 

Suppose so.^' 

Do you know where he’s gone ?” 

Theatre.” 

After about an hour of impatient waiting Mike saw 
the gentleman and lady whom he sought enter the door 
and pass up toward their apartments. 

What a delicious performance that was !” he heard 
her remark as she swept by him. What a handsome 
man that star was ! And how he did say, ^ Here lies 
Juliet !’ And then when he died : oh, wasn’t he the per- 
fection of grace ? It really made me cry ! Are my eyes 
red ?” And she looked with some alarm into her hus- 
band’s face, as though Lubin might in her extremity 
have deserted her. For the sixth time since the moist 
moment of Romeo’s death she wiped her face with her 
pocket-handkerchief, to distribute the delicate Lily of 
the Valley” more evenly over the inflamed spots. 

Mike waited till they were gone, and then approaching 
the clerk once more, said, — 


68 


THE WRECKERS. 


Will ye plaze sind up word to Mr. and Mrs. De- 
Camp that a man would loike to see ’em on special 
business ?” 

What name ?” 

“ Michael Barney; but they dunno who that is. Tell 
’em it’s on very important business that mustn’t be de- 
layed, or I wouldn’t disturb ’em.” 

The answer was soon returned for him to be conducted 
up-stairs. So, ill at ease, and yet resolute, as it was in 
behalf of his friend, he followed the bell-boy to the pri- 
vate parlor, where he found them awaiting his arrival. 

Good-mornin’,” he said, bowing very low, and for- 
getting the time of day in his embarrassment. I come 
to see ye about me friend down there in the station- 
house.” 

Another man would have been more politic in his in- 
troduction, but Mike had never studied policy. Even 
Talleyrand himself never could have convinced him that 
j “ the use of words was to conceal thought.’^ It was 
what had to be said, and he said it. He could not have 
made a more unfortunate beginning. 

Your friend !” exclaimed Mrs. Colonel Squealum 
DeCamp, straightening herself, and moving her chair a 
little nearer to that of her husband, as if for protection. 

And what about your friend down there in the station- 
house ?” 

He’s an innocent man, mum, an’ I come to see if I 
couldn’t git him out.” 

Innocent !” And the lady tossed her head with amaze- 
ment at the impudence of any one who could apply that 
term to an individual wdio had surreptitiously unravelled 
the secret of her bureau-drawer and tooth-cup. 


THE WRECKERS. 


59 


Why do you say he’s innocent ?” asked Mr. DeCarap, 
calmly. Do you know the circumstances of his arrest ? 
He was discovered by my wife in the very act of hiding 
in the closet. Surely he must either be insane or else a 
thief ; otherwise, what apology could he have for being 
in a lady’s room under such circumstances ?” 

Mrs. DeCarnp tossed her head and sniffed significantly, 
but said nothing. 

He was lookin’ for a poor deceived young woman, 
sir, who ran away from her home last night. She was 
my wife, sir, poor guirl, an’ took wid her our little Katie, 
the joy o’ me loife. It was all because she was deceived 
by a bad man, who played the piane wid white fingers 
an’ talked poetry beautiful loike.” 

As Mike unfolded his story, the gentleman, who was 
much more accustomed to weigh a question on its merits 
than the lady, was inclined to give it credence, though 
even then he could not see why the case should not be 
presented to the court and investigation legally made. 
Mrs. DeCamp, however, was not so easily persuaded. 
She had frequently read of just such cases as that of 
Michael’s; she had even wept over them, and, laying 
down the book, had folded her hands, and, gazing on 
the sunset, had given herself up to pensive melancholy. 
She had, moreover, introduced into her best novel a 
similar instance ; but these cases had always received a 
certain dignity and a sort of aristocratic interest from 
the fact that they had happened in the circle of dukes 
and duchesses. This was, to her mind, only a low story, 
and, even if it were true, the very fact that the prisoner 
had been associated with that class of people only made 
her all the more certain that he was a burglar, whatever 


60 


THE WRECKERS. 


else he might profess. She reiterated again and again 
her conviction. 

No, Mr. DeCamp, I will not consent to a withdrawal 
of the charge, because I believe he is a guilty man. 
And I assure you, positively, that no amount of argu- 
ment you can bring shall convince me to the contrary. 
I think I am of age, and I know my own mind.’^ 

Both of these propositions were true. Hans was un- 
doubtedly guilty of the crime which she deemed most 
unpardonable, and she had been of age for over twenty 
years. 

Well,’^ said her husband at length, turning toward 
Mike, suppose we let it go on to trial in open court ; 
if it is so easy to establish his good character, it can 
readily be done then. How will that do ?” 

Well, I^d rather have it different if I could, sir,^’ 
replied he, because the reporters will all be there, an’ I 
wouldn’t loike the sin o’ the poor guirl laid all open 
afore the world. Sure they’ll have it all in the papers, 
sir, so they will.” 

Mrs. DeCamp pricked up her ears and looked a little 
worried. Have it in the papers ? Have what in the 
papers ?” she asked, nervously. An amused expression 
played on the face of her husband, which fortunately 
she did not see. 

The whole of it, mum ; they niver lave out nothin’, 
thim reporters don’t. An’ axin’ yer pardon, mum, I 
thought as how it moight not be exactly to your loikin’ 
to have that in about that hair an’ thim teeth what 
Hans was tellin’ me about. He didn’t go for to do it, 
mum, but he couldn’t help it, ye know ; for just when 
he was gettin’ ready to run out when he see his mistake. 


THE WRECKERS. 


61 


ye locked the door on him, not knowin^ he was there, an’ 
he couldn’t do nothin’ else but to wait. He’s a very 
dacint man, mum, an’ as bashful as a babby in the pres- 
ence of foine ladies loike yerself ; an’ he couldn’t bear 
to have it go out that he was in yer closet, loike that, 
widout tellin’ all about it, mum.” 

She lifted her eyebrows and looked into vacancy with 
a troubled look, as people do when they are seeking to 
solve some perplexing problem. Then rising from her 
chair, she walked toward the window ; as it was utterly 
dark without, she might with equal propriety have 
walked up to within six inches of the wall and have 
stood gazing at the paper. After a little time she ap- 
peared to awaken to the fact, and returned. What did 
you say about this young woman ?” she asked. 

Mike repeated that portion of the story, and dwelt es- 
pecially on the fact of Hans’ great kindness to him on 
this and former occasions. When he had finished she 
turned to her husband, who had sat in a mood of quiet 
expectancy, tipped back in his chair, and said, — 

George, dear, what do you think of this ? Doesn’t it 
seem to you as though there was a good deal of proba- 
bility that, after all, the poor man was innocent ?” 

George, dear,” had not been married all these years 
for naught. He knew the meaning of each peculiar in- 
flection, of which there were at least four, one for every 
mood, and what was desired of him on each occasion. 
He was thoroughly acquainted, likewise, with the hidden 
significance of each separate term of affection. He had 
deciphered the whole- alphabet, and become an adept in 
it during that first year of his hymeneal bliss, when he 
was endeavoring to bring Mrs. Colonel Squealum De- 
6 


62 


THE WRECKERS. 


Camp to the proper state of mind in which she should 
perceive the wisdom of making him the legal proprietor 
of her goods and estate. He knew that George, dear,^^ 
with the rising inflection, invariably called for unreserved 
indorsement. That, like most people who honor us with 
their confidence by seeking our counsel, what she really 
wanted was not his advice, but his approval ; and while 
he was not quite so much of an adept in observing this 
sign alphabet as he once was, he was nevertheless ready 
to obey, even yet, whenever, as in this case, it would not 
interfere with the worship which he paid to his deity ; 
in other words, — himself. So he assured her that there 
was no remaining shadow of a doubt in his mind that 
the poor man was entirely a victim of circumstances; 
and that, instead of being imprisoned, he ought rather, 
if anything, to be rewarded for his beautiful fidelity to 
his friends. He even offered to write a note to the 
proper authorities stating this fact, and expressing his 
regret at the unfortunate circumstances which had caused 
so innocent a man to be apprehended. With this in his 
j)ocket, therefore, Mike bowed himself out of their pres- 
ence, scarcely knowing how politic he had been ; having 
slain the foe by simply pulling the trigger of the gun 
which he could never have made or found, but which the 
enemy had unwittingly put into his hand. 

It was certainly a great blessing, just at this juncture, 
that Mike was called upon to thus think and act in be- 
half of another. Ever and everywhere, the best antidote 
for our trouble is to try to help a brother out of his. 
Lay down this book, O brooding soul ! Go out, and 
with determined effort, if need be, bring sunlight and 
some psalm of hope into another’s dreary darkness ; then 


THE WRECKERS. 


63 


come back, and having learned its truth, mark this pas- 
sage, that you may read it again on some one of those 
shadowed to-morrows which, in this changeful world, 
await us all. 

The next morning, at as early an hour as he thought 
he could gain admission, he went to see Hans, and bear 
to him the tidings of his success. He found that indi- 
vidual with swollen eyes, having passed a night of sleep- 
lessness and anxiety on account of the uncertainty of his 
fate. When he appeared with the officer and informed 
the prisoner that he had secured the written statement 
of the prosecuting parties that in their judgment he was 
innocent, and that the judge had therefore consented to 
release him, Hans, who had been swearing vengeance on 
everybody connected with his arrest, forgot all about his 
anger in his joy and gratitude. 

Michael, mine friend,^^ he exclaimed, wabbling to- 
ward him and grasping his hand in both of his, you 
are better as anybody to do dis business in der whole 
world around. Oh, mine friend, I feels so bad in here,” 
placing his hand on his heart, dot I vas so happy und 
you vas so sad.” 

As they were walking away, arm in arm, Hans 
said, — 

If I could get me avay from mine business, I vould 
follow dem ofer der ocean to help you find dem, Michael.” 

IVe been thinkin’ o’ that too,” replied the other, 
but I niver could be sure o’ findin’ ’em, even if I wint. 
An’ I don’t see how I could do that till I might sell out 
my little store ; and the Lord knows I’d spind it all in 
seekin’ ’em, wherever they might be, so I would. I’ve 
been tryin’ to think how I could telegraph to her uncle. 


64 


THE WRECKERS. 


an’ git him to meet her ship whin it reaches Cork. Poor 
guirl, she ain’t in her roight moind, or she niver would 
do this ; an’ I moight tell him so, an’ ask him to forgive 
an’ take her back, for the love o’ Heaven. Leastwise, 
he moight influence her, for she took it awful bad whin 
he disowned her ; an’ she’ll be pinitent, I know, by the 
toime she reaches the other side. An’ that thief of an 
Italian could be arrested, an’ I could go over myself, an’ 
see that he was punished as he deserves an’ that she was 
provided for in comfort. An’ I could bring back my 
little Katie, an’ could still have somethin’ to live for, 
an’ to love.” 

It was decided that before sending the telegram they 
should return to Jenkinstown and solicit the aid of one 
of his customers, an educated man, in preparing it. So 
that afternoon, with a heavy heart, Mike returned. He 
did not go to his old home, but remained all night with 
Hans, and after having made due arrangements, took the 
train the next morning for New York. 

After he had arrived and had sent the despatch the 
awful sense of loneliness returned, as he walked up the 
crowded streets and realized that now nothing more could 
be done except to wait. To wait, day after day, and hour 
after hour ; in the morning wishing it were night, and 
in the night wishing it were morning again ; to wait, 
counting the grains of sand running through the hour- 
glass, measuring the shadow as it creeps inch by inch 
across the dial-plate; the mind, meantime, like some 
ponderous wheel in the mill, when forgotten by its owner, 
grinding away itself. Happy are ye who only have to 
work ! Alas for those who must not work, but wait ! 

He strolled up to the office of the Neptune steamship 


THE WRECKERS. 


65 


line, and asked the clerk at the desk how long it would 
be before the “Fire-Fly^^ would probably be heard 
from. 

From ten days to two weeks.’’ Why did he not say, 

eternity”? 

He bought a paper in the street, but could not read it, 
and threw it away. Before he knew whither he went, he 
found himself on the wharf from whence the vessel had 
sailed the day before. The wind was blowing violently 
as he looked out to seaward. With a shudder he drew 
his coat about him, and retraced his steps. He passed 
back along the same streets through which he had driven, 
till he arrived at the hotel where they had stopped. He 
saw they recognized him there, and went out. The 
throngs were pressing up Broadway ; he joined them, 
and tried to interest himself in the shop-windows. Hour 
after hour he walked, till he found himself at the Sixth 
Avenue entrance of the Central Park. He could hear 
the shouts of the skaters on the pond. Ladies and gen- 
tlemen, heavily muffled in furs, glided gayly past him, 
the music of the bells chiming in with their merry laugh- 
ter. Leaving them, he passed down the avenue again. 
A little child stood looking wistfully in at a confectioner’s 
window. A red knit hood was on her head ; her shoes 
'' were almost gone ; but though her garments spoke of 
poverty, they were neat and clean, and showed that some 
mother out of her penury was seeking to atone, by love, 
for the lack of comforts which she could not buy. Mike 
took her with him into the store, and bought her some 
candies in pretty cornucopias. Then he went with her 
and purchased some shoes; and when she looked up 
wonderingly and thanked him, it seemed as though he 

e 6* 


66 


THE WRECKERS. 


wanted to speak, but could not ; and he only pressed her 
hand and hurried away. He stopped at a news-stand 
and bought another paper ; he could not read it, and was 
about to cast it aside as he had the other, when he chanced 
to glance over the boarding-house advertisements. Slip- 
ping the paper into his pocket, he went in search of one ; 
it would at least occupy his time. No one noticed him 
as he walked onward ; in the great city he was as 
thoroughly alone as if he had been in the desert of Sa- 
hara. Those who glanced casually at him only saw one 
of those same men whom we meet every day, reader. 
There was nothing exceptional about him save his height ; 
only such an ordinary Irishman as you will elbow against 
to-morrow in your walk down-town. No one would 
ever have thought, and least of all himself, of his being 
introduced into a novel. A common life? Call thou 
not any life common ! God pity that man or woman 
who can stop to think of the grammar of a moan, or fail 
to recognize in this world of ours the dignity of the com- 
monplace. Eighteen hundred years ago there came from 
out Gethsemane the groan of a crushed heart ; and the 
world can never forgive itself that it failed to hear that 
cry which fell from the lips of only a poor peasant. 

After that, Mike found himself every day going over 
the same route, between his temporary boarding-place 
and the wharf from whence the ship had sailed. It was 
as near as he could come to her for whom he had lived 
all these years, and his little child. The waves rolling 
up against the logs seemed somehow to bring a message 
to him from them, and sometimes he fancied he could 
catch a sound like a sob of penitence. Then with a sigh 
he would return again to his room, and in the afternoon 


THE WRECKERS. 


67 


repeat the same walk once more. He did not try to read 
now ; sitting before his fire he would think, or, rising, 
walk the room, or perhaps try to forget it all in sleep, 
and often try in vain. 

One day as he stood by the wharf he saw a steamer 
arrive ; the “ Alexandria.” He noticed that a great crowd 
were gathered at the pier ; that many wept aloud as they 
fell into each other’s arms. He heard them asking many 
questions in excited tones, and they who tried to answer 
them would break into tears again, and then be led away 
by loving friends. He saw one old man tear his hair 
and wring his hands, and then place his palm upon his 
heart as though in agony. He longed to help him, but. 
he scarcely dared to try, because, though he seemed alone 
and friendless, he was a man of higher station than he ; 
and while Michael stood pitying him, and longing to 
aid, the gentleman stepped into his carriage and was 
driven away. He went home troubled and perplexed. 
He could not understand why friends should weep when 
meeting, except for joy. The next day he went down 
to the office of the line. ^^When shall we hear o’ the 
^Fire-Fly’ ?” he asked. ^^When she reaches Cork, or 
shall we have to wait till she arrives at Liverpool ?” 

Good gracious, man, we’ve heard of the ^ Fire-Fly’ 
already,” was the answer. 

What have you heard ? Has anything happened ?” 
exclaimed Mike, thoroughly startled. 

Why, the ^ Fire-Fly’ was burned two days out at 
sea, and the passengers who were saved — and there were 
only a few — were brought back by the ^ Alexandria,’ 
yesterday. They arrived in quarantine the day before, 
and it was all in yesterday morning’s papers.” 


68 


THE WRECKERS. 


And have you the list o’ the saved ?” reaching over 
and grasping his arm. 

Yes ; who do you want to inquire about ?” 

“ There was a Mr. and Mrs. — Porta on board, wid a 
little guirl.” 

Yes, there were,” answered the other, looking hastily 
at his list. She was lost ; but the father and child were 
rescued, and landed yesterday. They were picked up in 
a small boat, with seventeen others.” 

Landed yesterday ? Oh, my God ! An’ I was 
there, an’ the Lord knows where they are now. An’ 
she dead ! My poor Maggie dead ! Burned away otf 
at sea, where I couldn’t help her ! An’ my little Katie 
close near me, an’ I didn’t know it ! Oh, my God, my 
God !” He staggered fortli, blinded and crazed with 
grief, scarcely knowing whither he went. 


CHAPTER lY. 
porta’s flight. 

Among the passengers on board the '^Alexandria” 
that day was one who peered anxiously, and yet furtively, 
over the multitude of faces gathered on the wharf. He 
stood behind the others, who were pushing forward to 
catch the glance of friends ; moved restlessly from one 
side of the steamer to the other, and led by the hand a 
little girl. It was Signor Antonio Porta. His fingers 
worked nervously, and twice he stopped and whispered 
to the child to remain very quiet, and utter not a word, 


THE WRECKERS. 


69 


and he would take her to her papa. Some of the pas- 
sengers appeared a little surprised to see him on the deck, 
for it had been given out that he and his daughter were 
both dangerously ill, and were able to see no one in their 
state-room except the physician. 

Suddenly, while he was thus scanning from his unob- 
served position the crowd gathered below, his swarthy 
face changed color, the fingers twitched more than they 
had before, and he stealthily led the child to the other 
end of the ship. Then it was he had seen Mike, and, 
expecting that he had heard the news of the burning of 
the vessel and of the rescue, concluded that he was there 
to claim revenge. For a few moments he scarcely knew 
what course to pursue. He was a man, however, to re- 
main cool under all circumstances, and, barring the 
slight indications above mentioned, no one could have 
guessed that he was greatly excited. 

He passed down into the cabin. In one corner were 
a number of old garments which had been found in the 
chests picked up in the vicinity of the sunken ship. 
These chests had either floated away of themselves, or 
perhaps had been cast over as life-preservers and at last 
been abandoned by those who had clung to them until 
hope had gone. The garments had been taken out and 
dried, and left as part of the unclaimed property. It 
was an easy matter for him to appropriate a suit for 
himself and another for the child. If he could disguise 
himself enough to once get safely beyond the wharf, he 
thought he might escape. He was not entirely without 
money, for he had had sufficient time to secure that from 
the burning ship ; thus he could start immediately for 
the West. His original intention had been to go to an 


70 


THE WRECKERS. 


obscure quarter of New York, and, leaving the child in 
some place of safe retreat, telegraph Mike where she 
might be found, after having himself left the city. So 
keen, however, was his sense of the dangerous position 
he now occupied, that he determined to abandon that 
plan and adopt another. He would leave at once, if he 
could but escape detection, and from some distant point 
send word to her father of her whereabouts ; after which 
he could easily depart whither he would. True, he might 
have saved the expense and trouble of taking her with 
him by abandoning her in the city. But, bad as he was, 
he was not wholly bad ; no man ever is. He had, more- 
over, come to regard her with a certain feeling of pass- 
ing tenderness on account of her motherless position, and 
that mother’s last word to him. The fire had occurred 
at night, and she, being very sick, like most of the pas- 
sengers, had been so badly burned that she could not be 
removed. 

“I’ve sinned, Antonio,” she gasped. “God forgive 
me and have mercy on my poor soul ; but do not let the 
little one suffer because of that sin. See that she is 
returned to her father. Poor Mike ! Poor Mike ! Get 
word to him that I died sorry for my sin and asked 
his pardon.” These were her last words ; the vessel was 
rapidly sinking, and Porta had just time to hurry away 
with Katie, liaving answered with emotion, — 

“ God help me, I will.” 

It was with considerable nervous trepidation that he 
started to go down the plank, leading by his side the 
child, as thoroughly disguised as possible. Of course, 
as the reader knows, he passed through the crowd with- 
out any trouble except from the reporters, who gathered 


THE WRECKERS. 


71 


about him, pencil and paper in hand, soliciting an inter- 
view. He breathed freer as the train swept out of the 
depot and he realized that every moment was bearing 
him swiftly away from the scene of danger. They 
journeyed on all that day, and on the following morn- 
ing reached the city of Groveland, a large city in one 
of the Western States. Here they stopped for rest, 
Katie having grown very weary. The next day they 
continued their journey on one of the smaller roads 
leading out of the town, to a little inland village by the 
name of Belleville. Being situated on a river and 
surrounded by beautiful woods, it had become a kind of 
fashionable summer resort for the denizens of Groveland. 
Few more dreary or forsaken places could be found than 
this little inland town in winter. 

Here I will be safe,’^ thought Porta ; and after a 
few days in which to rest and perfect my plans, I can 
send the despatch and pursue my journey unmolested.” 

The hotel at which he stopped was kept by a crusty 
old man and a nervous old woman. It was not one of 
the larger houses : they were closed till the next season ; 
but a small, stunted-looking inn, which remained open 
all the year round because the proprietor was too shift- 
less to find other work in winter, and so consumed at 
that season whatever had been saved during the summer. 

Having completed his plans, after a few days Porta 
determined to leave. He did not take the trouble to 
settle his account, but stated to the landlord that he was 
called out of town for a short time, and would return 
for his little girl within a week. 

“ Barney will be so glad to see her again,” he said to 
himself, that he will find no fault with the bill.” 


72 


THE WRECKERS. 


On the way down to the station he stopped to tele- 
graph the message to Mike. He wrote in a clear, legible 
hand, — 


Come immediately and take care of your child.” 

At first he signed his own name, and then threw the 
blank away. That would not do : it might in some way 
lead to discovery ; they might telegraph for his arrest. 
While there was not much danger, it was, nevertheless, 
safer to affix another signature. He finally decided to 
sign that of the lady at the hotel. So the despatch was 
sent, — 

‘‘ Come immediately and take care of your child. 

Mrs. Felix, 

Belleville, Oliio.” 

Unfortunately, in that same State there was a Jenkins- 
town. In his hurry to catch the train — for he was a 
little late, and that was the only opportunity for leaving 
town that day — ^he had neglected to designate the par- 
ticular Jenkinstown to which the message was to go. As 
was very natural, therefore, the operator sent it to the 
one which was near at hand. 

Now, Barney is not a very uncommon name among the 
Irish, and neither is Michael. So that when the tele- 
gram arrived it did not lie in the drawer of the office 
desk, as the reader has doubtless anticipated that it 
would : it found a resting-place in the hands of Mrs. 
Michael Barney of the wrong Jenkinstown, when the 
husband and lawful owner of that title was, as she. sup- 


THE WRECKERS. 73 

posed, industriously pursuing his avocation of Jack-of- 
all-trades at the village store. 

He was a peaceably-inclined man, little in stature, and 
appeared to even greater disadvantage in that respect on 
account of the large and muscular proportions of Mrs. 
Barney. If the message had come earlier in the day, 
she would have had more time for her surprise and anger 
to have abated; and would have probably, therefore, 
dealt more leniently with her other half when he re- 
turned to his home. Fate decreed, however, that it 
should come just as the clock was striking six; the 
very hour when he was expected, according to his daily 
custom, to arrive from the store. The ordinary occur- 
rences in the little village were scarcely striking enough 
to afford nutriment for the mind of an active woman of 
curiosity, and so Mrs. Barney, like many of her kind 
in isolated sections, was accustomed to magnify to their 
utmost proportions whatever events of a possibly start- 
ling nature interrupted the pellucid flow of Jenkinstown 
society. 

To receive a telegraphic despatch was something quite 
out of the current of her ordinary life ; and such an 
occasion could not be permitted to pass without being 
duly improved. She gave* a little scream, therefore, and 
caught her breath, laying down the scrubbing-brush, and 
almost overturning the pailful of black water all over 
the floor, as she threw up her hands, without rising from 
her knees. Never but once before had she been thus 
honored by being selected from among the great mass of 
forgotten womankind that she might become the recip- 
ient of a telegraphic announcement directed to her very 
self; that was at the decease of her mother, and she could 


74 


THE WRECKERS. 


scarcely now expect anything less startling than a death 
in the family at least. To most of us there is a certain 
pleasure in excitement, even though it be nothing more 
than the prospect of a lively wake, 

It^s for Mike,’^ said the boy. 

She grasped the envelope and tore it open with eager 
hand. The carrier did not tarry after having assisted 
her to decipher it, as he had other messages to deliver. 
Perhaps it was fortunate for him that he did not, for 
among the few little shortcomings of Mike’s helpmeet 
she was possessed of a violent temper, which, when fully 
aroused, did not stop to discriminate as to the reasonable 
course to be pursued, but, like the baited bull, levelled 
its horns at the first object of attack which presented 
itself. 

She certainly had no cause to complain that the mis- 
sive lacked any of the elements of a capital excitement. 
Her eyes grew larger and her features more firmly set 
with each repeated reading ; 

Michael Barney: 

Come immediately and take care of your child. 

‘^Mrs. Felix, 

■ ‘^Belleville, Ohio.” 

“ Ah, the villain !” at last she exclaimed, when she 
had sufficiently recovered from her first surprise to be 
able to exclaim anything. “Mrs. Felix is it? Um-m- 
ra-m-m-m-m !” winking one eye deliberately and slowly 
clawing at her apron. 

“I’ll Mrs. Felix ye, my foine boy ! An’ here I bin 
married to ye, a true an’ lawful wife, these twinty year 


THE WRECKERS. 


75 


come nixt May, an^ some Mrs. Felix sindin’ for ye to 
come an’ take care o’ your choild ! That’s where all yer 
money’s gone to, is it? An’ me slavin’ an’ killin’ my- 
self wid work that Mrs. Felix may sind for ye to come 
an’ take care o’ your choild ! Um-m-m-m-m-m-m !” 
working her lips, and again clawing at her apron. 

It was at this unlucky moment, when the burning fuse, 
as it were, had just reached the dynamite, that Mike ar- 
rived on the steps of his domicile. A military company 
had been formed not a great while before in the village, 
Ostensibly as a home guard, but in reality as a means of 
furnishing the individuals concerned an opportunity to 
march and countermarch in fine clothes before the ad- 
miring gaze of friends and neighbors, and feel heroic. 
As there was very little in the village to guard, and 
nobody to be guarded against, there was found no lack 
of rustic braves to join the martial host. Of this com- 
pany Mike was a member, and this was the day when 
they had just secured their guns and uniforms. The 
afternoon had been spent at the drill-room, and as they, 
were to assemble again in the evening, it was decided 
that each recruit should wear his soldierly apparel home, 
that the several households represented might partake 
as much as possible of the heroic spirit. Mike also 
brought home his musket. That portion of the uniform 
which delighted him most, however, was the tall hat. 
He had been born of small parents, and their height, 
or rather their lack of it, was the only legacy they had 
left him. This had troubled him many times, as he was 
quite slender withal, and his jpersonnel was accordingly 
slight, not to say insignificant. But as he had surveyed 
himself at the drill-room in this hat, it had been with a 


76 


THE WRECKERS. 


touch of satisfaction regarding his appearance which he 
had never before experienced. Of course the ubiquitous 
small boys of the town crowded about him as he walked 
home, but he having thus recently fallen into the pos- 
session of dignity, and as yet scarcely having become 
accustomed to greatness, only frowned on them and 
walked very straight, feeling quite like Wellington at 
the battle of Waterloo. He actually wished, in a neb- 
ulous kind of a way, that some Indians might appear 
from behind the trees, and fancied himself bearing home 
their scalps victoriously. 

It was in this state of martial glory, with the admiring 
juveniles at his heels, that he arrived at the threshold of 
his own home. Mrs. Barney heard his footstep while 
still on her knees clawing her apron, the last expression, 
with the feline emphasis, having scarcely died away. 

“ Sweet is revenge ; especially to woman,” 

says Byron. The moment of sweet revenge was now at 
hand, and Mrs. Barney was not the one to let any of its 
nectar escape. She quickly arose from her knees, and, 
seizing the pailful of water unimproved, with which she 
had been scrubbing the floor, awaited his approach, like 
an ancient Amazon before the Greeks. Her limbs were 
firmly set one before another, her head and shoulders 
thrown back, and the pail balanced effectively in her two 
hands. 

The door swung open and Mike enterelsl. But he did 
not advance very far. For a moment he thought the 
roof had fallen in about him, leaving him exposed to 
the inclemency of the weather, and that' a rain-storm of 


THE WRECKERS. 


77 


ice-water had been ordered by Providence in midwinter. 
The aqueous volley had struck him fairly in the face, 
and, running down under his collar, had caused that 
sudden muscular contraction of the diaphragm which 
results in a series of short, quick breathings, and which 
has led most of us at times to become fully convinced 
that life after all was not worth living. 

As already stated, his first thought was in reference to 
the inclemency of the weather ; his second thought was, 
that the farther he was removed from the scene of the 
catastrophe the more it would conduce to his happiness 
and peace of mind. He flung aside his musket, with 
which he had recently been so desirous of killing an 
Indian, and turned to flee. Before sufficient time had 
elapsed for his thought to be converted into action, he 
came to the further conclusion that not only had the 
roof proven insecure, but the walls had fallen in, and the 
timbers were coming into very painful collision with his 
head. He found himself, moreover, hindered in his es- 
cape by something jerking him back, and fancied that 
one of the lamp fixtures had perhaps become entangled 
in his collar, leaving him hopelessly exposed to the 
falling debris. 

I’ll Mrs. Felix ye !” shouted his spouse, as she jerked 
him about the room with her brawny grasp, thundering 
repeated blows with the empty bucket upon his head. 

I’ll teach ye to receive tilegraphic despatches for ye to 
come an’ take care o’ your choild. That’s where ye’ve 
bin, is it, whia^ ye tould me ye were becomin’ a soldier ? 
Um-m-m-m-m-m-m !” 

The admiring boys outside, peering through the open 
door, and now gathering around it, began to shout Hoo- 
7 * 


78 


THE WRECKERS. 


ray !’’ Go in, Lemons !” Oh, see him spin and 
other expressions of a similar nature, not at all flattering 
to the soldierly qualities of the home guard. 

It was fully two minutes before Mike awakened to the 
fact that his tribulations arose not from any lack of 
structural strength in the house, but from an overplus of 
that quality in the housekeeper. He felt like remon- 
strating with her, and asking her if this was respectful 
treatment toward one whom she had promised at the 
altar to love, honor, and obey. Not that he formulated 
these sentiments exactly, — such a process would have re- 
quired more time than he felt he had at his disposal. It 
was rather a moment for action than ideas ; but his first 
emotion was of that indignant type which would doubt- 
less have found expression in some such reasonable ques- 
tionings, if the hour had been propitious. As it was, 
however, this was soon followed by a stronger feeling of 
resentment, culminating in a determination for revenge. 

Alas, what a strange being is man ! In aspirations, 
mfinite ; in achievements, infinitesimal ! j Thus was it 
with poor Mike. He aimed one blow at his spouse, 
which would surely have caused an extravagant doctor’s 
bill had it taken effect, but which, as she dexterously 
dodged it, only resulted in causing him to throw him- 
self into her arms, utterly helpless before her superior 
strength. 

Give it to him, oV ’oman !” Save the peelin’s !” 

Hoo-ray for the home guard !” burst simultaneously 
from the juvenile spectators. Mrs. Barney seeing them 
at length, started after them, but not until she had, with 
one supreme paroxysm of escaping wrath, shot Mike into 
a corner, where he fell in most unsoldierly attitude. The 


The Home Guard does not exactly meet an Indian, rut wishes he had 

View of the battle-field. 





THE WRECKERS. 


79 


boys, cheering vociferously, ran hurriedly into the street 
as she approached ; and when she had shut and locked 
the door, they still manifested their interest in the case 
by rapping at the windows and then scampering away. 

By the time slie had returned Mike had recovered his 
feet, and stood with knuckles extended in an attitude of 
manly self-defence. She assumed a position in the centre 
of the room, with her arms akimbo. 

So it’s Mrs. Felix that’s tilegraphin’ you to come an’ 
take care o’ your choild, is it ?” she asked, nodding her 
head emphatically with every word. 

Come on !” he roared, come on !” shaking his fists 
and dancing round her, having reached the firm conclu- 
sion that he had a crazy woman to deal with, and that 
valor was the only course to pursue. 

Um-m-m-m-m-m-m !” she exclaimed, with the feline 
rise and fall, winking one eye knowingly, and again 
slowly nodding her head. 

Come on !” he roared again, come on !” still main- 
taining the manly attitude of self-defence, and continuing 
his gyrations. 

Mrs. Barney’s fury had now quite expended itself, and 
like most angry women under such circumstances, she 
began to cry. It’s foine treatmint ye’re givin’ me, 
after these twinty years of slavin’ an’ toilin’ to kape yer 
home dasint, an’ you runnin’ away wid Mrs. Felix.” 

It’s crazy ye are intirely,” he answered, rubbing his 
head. What do I know about any Mrs. Felix? An’ 
who is it that’s bin givin’ the foine tratemint, I’d loike 
to know ?” 

Read that !” she said, casting the crumpled despatch 
at his feet, and throwing up her apron to her eyes. 


80 


THE WRECKERS. 


Read that, an’ thin tell me if that’s the way to treat a 
poor, weak, and helpless guirl that ye took away from 
her home, an’ who’s bin a lovin’ an’ affectionate wife to 
ye all these years ?” She sat down in a chair, and, with 
her apron still up at her eyes, rocked to and fro, moaning 
and breaking into convulsive sobs. 

Who writ this ?” he asked. 

An’ who should write it but Mrs. Felix, an’ her own 
name signed there, an’ me a true an’ lovin’ wife for 
twinty year come next May.” 

Mike protested emphatically ; but Mrs. Barney was 
not to be convinced so easily. With her, as with most 
narrow people, one powerful emotion would nullify a 
thousand reasons. Moreover, such an occasion was of 
too rare occurrence for it to be permitted to pass away 
until all the saccharine juices had been economically ex- 
tracted. Only after he had promised to accompany her 
during the following week to Belleville, which was not 
far distant from Jenkinstown, would she entertain any 
thought of either compromise or treaty. 

When the landlady of the little inn, therefore, a few 
days later, saw a couple coming up the walk, she con- 
cluded that her winter’s trade was improving, and came 
to the door with the customary reception smile. It 
quickly faded, however, when the parties showed her 
the despatch and asked if she was the author of the same. 
Her indignation knew no bounds when, after putting on 
her bonnet and accompanying them to the office, the fact 
was discovered that her boarder, whom she had treated 
as a very distinguished personage, had sent the message, 
and after signing her name had gone out of town. 

‘^He signed another name first,” said the operator, 


THE WRECKERS. 


81 


but seemed to change his mind, and then he wrote that 
despatch which you have/^ 

What was the name he signed ?’^ inquired the land- 
lady. 

I don’t remember what it was now/’ he answered. 

I may find the paper in the basket, though,” looking 
over the contents of that receptacle. After fumbling for 
some time he took it out and read it. 

Here it is : — Porta ; Antonio Porta.” 

Did he sign his name that ?” exclaimed she. He 
called himself Signor Bontanti when at the house.” 

They returned to the hotel, and summoned Katie be- 
fore them. Her plump, happy little face appeared to 
make an impression on the woman from Jenkinstown, 
and she took her in her arms and kissed her. 

Mrs. Felix, however, was above any such weakness. 
She looked on all children as womankind in general are 
accustomed to regard spiders, — created expressly as pests 
to housekeepers, and for the purpose of making work.” 
As the possibility dawned, therefore, of having Katie 
domiciled in their house, it was with a stern and angry 
countenance that she regarded her, saying nothing, how- 
ever, of a direct nature, lest it might ultimately prove 
that her uncle, or whoever he was, should return, in 
which case she would not wish to have aroused any sen- 
timent which should cause his niece to manifest dislike 
toward her in his presence. He certainly appeared like 
an aristocratic gentleman, and no one knew how much 
custom he might be able to influence. 

One might have wondered, when looking on Katie, 
how any woman could have helped loving so sweet and 
innocent a child. True, other children have had just as 
/ 


82 


THE WRECKERS. 


round, dimpled little faces as that which, from out its 
golden frame of clustering curls, smiled trustfully into 
the big buxom face of Mrs. Barney. 

You’re a schwate little darlin’,” exclaimed that bulky 
compound of opposite impulses and emotions, hugging 
her and kissing her again. The cloud of the last few 
days was lifted from her horizon, and she was now con- 
sequently in the best of humor. Perhaps she was more 
easily touched with tenderness from the fact of her own 
two sturdy urchins at home ; for though they were the, 
pest of the neighborhood, and seemed fit for nothing but 
the prize-ring, with their big bullet heads and closely- 
shaven fiery red hair, they were the veriest Cupids to her, 
when she chanced to be in the Cupid mood herself, as she 
was at present. At other times they were little fiends, 
and she treated them accordingly. Whatever they seemed 
to be, however, she was certainly better for having had 
them ; as we all are, praise God ! Speak of the debt of 
gratitude they owe to us ? What does it weigh when 
compared with the debt of gratitude we owe to them ? 
Israel was not the only people led out of the darkness of 
Egypt as the result of a child’s cry. 

Do you like her ?” asked Katie, pointing her little 
finger to Mrs. Felix. 

Och, would ye hear the little jewel !” shouted Mrs. 
Barney, bursting into a loud laugh. Do I loike her ? 
Of course I loike her. I loike all nice folks, an’ so of 
course I loike her,” lying, like the rest of the world, for 
the sake of politeness at the expense of conscience. 

I don’t,” chattered the child. “ She speaks cross, 
and I think she’s awful homely. She ain’t a bit as my 
mamma was ; my mamma was lovely.” 


THE WRECKERS. 


83 


Mrs. Felix had never had any children; she called 
them little brats.’^ As the child spoke these words she 
did not look as though there was any danger of her 
altering her opinion. 

After the conversation had continued for some time 
longer, and Katie had been thoroughly catechised, and 
the information had been gained that her mamma had 
gone down in a big boat in the ocean, and that her 
papa was going to meet her here and take her home 
again,’^ and that Mr. Porta, alias Mr. Bontanti, was her 
uncle, ^cause he told her so,^^ Mrs. Barney said, — 

Well, I’d be thinkin’ we moight be goin’ home now. 
Come, Mickey, or we’ll be late for the train.” 

The home guard arose, and, after wishing Mrs. Felix 
the top o’ the mornin’,” trotted out by the side of his 
wife. 

When they had departed, Mr. Felix, who had been 
listening outside the door, came in and said, — 

^^Well?” 

I should think it was ^ well,’ ” replied his spouse. 
Here we are with a rascal who has been boarding with 
us for three weeks and never payin’ a cent, and then 
after cutting up some absurd didos goes and jumps the 
town, and leaves us with a spoiled youngster on our 
hands ; a pert little nobody-knows-who. What am I to 
do with her in this town ? I know. I’ll send her to 
the poor-house, so I will ; or if I keep her. I’ll take the 
nonsense out of her.” 

She looked as though she would, and break her heart 
besides. As she stood there, with her skinny frame and 
her bony fingers, her little gray eyes set back in her head 
and striking fire, she looked like the devil’s wife. God 


84 


THE WRECKERS. 


deliver us from a diabolic person, anyway ; but of the 
two, God deliver us from a diabolic woman. Is it be- 
cause the pinnacle on which she stands is so much higher 
than a man’s that when she falls she strikes so far below 
him? 

"When another week had gone and no one had arrived 
to claim the little waif, it was determined to send her to 
the county-house. So she was bundled up and driven 
thither, to be duly delivered into the hands of those who 
would feed her on so many ounces of meal per day, and 
then, if she died, sell to the neighboring college of doc- 
tors, to be cut up for scientific purposes, — the little form 
that a mother had nursed and fondled, that a father had 
smiled upon so many times, as he kissed those lips which, 
to him, were the sweetest in all the world. Admittance 
could not be procured for her there, however ; the house 
was full, and, moreover, as she was not a resident of the 
county, there was a question of eligibility concerned. So 
she was taken back again ; and since there was now no 
other place where she could be sent, Mrs. Felix concluded 
to let her remain, and to make what use of her she could. 

I want my papa,” Katie cried, as the woman came 
into the room where she had been left during the confer- 
ence, and bade her, in a sharp, shrill tone, to take off 
them things.” I want to go home ; I don’t want to 
stay here any longer.” And she laid her little head on 
the sofa and began to cry. 

Uh !” exclaimed the woman, with a gesture of im- 
patience ; and stepping hurriedly over to where the little 
one stood, she lifted her thin hand like a claw, and gave 
her a blow on the side of her face which threw her to 
the floor. 


THE WRECKERS. 


85 


1^11 teach you to answer back, you little huzzy P she 
cried. You just take off them things an’ foller me ; 
an’ see that you be quick about it, too.” 

It was new treatment for this tender plant, which had 
been during those happy years of her little life shielded 
from every ill by the great, noble heart of Mike. She 
did not understand it at first, and did not comply as 
quickly as the woman thought she should. 

Come along !” cried she, as she seized her by her wrist, 
and, lifting her from the floor by one arm, carried her 
out of the room shrieking with pain. There ! Stand 
there,” she continued, when she had taken her into her 
bedroom. You’re the worst child I ever see. I’ll 
give you to the big black man, and he will eat you 
up.” 

Katie endeavored to stop crying immediately on hear- 
ing this threat, for she had never been told a lie in her 
life, and believed all that was said to her. She trembled 
with horror at such a thought, and though she could 
not overcome at once the sense of grief and pain, and 
her breath would catch involuntarily in short stifled sobs, 
she tried to quiet them as best she could. Mrs. Felix 
noticed this effect of her threatenings, and laid away her 
acquired knowledge for future use. 

Then taking the scissors from her workstand, she 
cut off, one by one, the ringlets which had formed a 
mother’s and a father’s pride, and threw them into the 
scuttle. 

These gewgaws won’t do for such as you now,” she 
remarked, removing the ribbon from her neck, which 
until this time she had permitted Jane, the maid of all 
work, to adorn her with, not knowing but that even yet 
8 


86 


THE WRECKERS. 


the absentee might return. At last, however, things had 
come to a crisis, and she was determined to introduce a 
new regime. She took off her pretty little plaid dress, 
and put on one which she had found in her bundle, and 
which had been ruined in the wreck. 

Toiler me,’^ she said. There’s a great bear under 
that bed, and he’ll tear you all in pieces if he finds you 
alone in this room.” 

Katie ran and kept close at her side. She led the way 
into the kitchen, and said to Jane, — 

^^Give this gell somethin’ to do; and mind,” she 
added, turning toward the child, *Gf I catch you not 
doin’ what you’re told, I’ll let in a great big black man 
that I keep for just such naughty little girls as you be, 
and he’ll put you right into a great big kettle of boiling 
water.” Katie made no reply, but only drew nearer to 
the girl who had proved a friend to her and gained her 
love. 

As Mrs. Felix passed out, Jane whispered to the 
child, — 

“ Don’t you mind that old devil. She lies ; she ha’n’t 
got no black man ; an’ I won’t let him hurt you nohow.” 
Jane, who had not had the advantages of a school, except 
for one winter term, had never looked into the mysteries 
of Whately. Logic was not her strong point. 

Come, little dear,” she continued ; just you wipe 
these knives : that won’t be hard ; an’ when you get 
tired. I’ll let you sit down; but when you hear her 
cornin’ just you get up an’ run ; an’ stand by me, an’ 
make out that you ha’n’t left off work a minute.” 

^^I’m awful afraid of that black man,” whispered 
Katie, after a few minutes. And she has a big bear 


THE WRECKERS, 


87 


under her bed, too ; and if I ever go in there alone he 
will eat me up.^’ 

Jane tried in vain to quiet her fears by assuring her 
that it was not true ; the image of terror had taken full 
possession of her imagination, and when the voice of 
Mrs. Felix was heard up-stairs calling for the girl to 
come to her, the child trembled and clung to her skirts, 
pleading with her not to leave her. 

When evening arrived at last and she was sent to 
bed, she felt afraid to sleep in the great front room alone, 
where she had been accustomed to remain. She would 
have asked to be allowed to have Jane with her, but she 
did not dare. She soon discovered, however, that that 
was not to be her chamber any longer. 

You come up with me,” said Mrs. Felix, as she led 
the way to a room in the garret ; an^ see you don’t set 
nothin’ on fire, after I leave the candle for you to undress 
by. I’ll be up here again in a few minutes, an’ mind 
you get undressed by the time I come for that light, or 
it’ll be the worse for you.” 

When she was left alone, the babe (for only such she 
was), trying with her little cold fingers to unfasten her 
garments, and trembling with fear, cried piteously all 
alone to herself. She was not old enough to reason, but 
in a blind, dumb way felt that somehow God, to whom 
she had always been taught to pray, could help her ; she 
had never gone to bed without that prayer, and so in the 
cold she knelt down now, and asked him to take her home 
again. 

The step of Mrs. Felix on the stair made her spring 
from her knees with fear, and bound partly dressed into 
bed. 


88 


THE WRECKERS. 


^^Are you all undressed asked that female lynx, 
looking around. 

Yes, marm/^ replied Katie. 

She did not mean to lie. We often make our children 
liars by our angry threats. The woman turned down 
the coverlid, and saw that she was partly dressed. 

Oh, you awful little liar she cried, striking her a 
blow on one side of her face; ^^do you know that all 
liars will go to hell, and be burned up for ever and ever ? 
And you’re goin’ there ; an’ just as soon as I go down- 
stairs I’ll send up that black man to eat you up, so I 
will.” 

The child, in hysterical sobs, plead with her for mercy, 
as she stood in the cold, while the woman was roughly 
removing her garments. 

I didn’t mean to ; but my fingers were cold, and I 
couldn’t undress quick enough ; and when I heard you 
coming I was afraid, and jumped into bed with my 
clothes on.” 

Mrs. Felix consented this time not to send him up, 
but made all sorts of terrible threats in case of further 
delinquency. 

Now be still, and go to sleep right away, or the rats 
will come after you,” she said, as she took the light and 
went out. 

Katie heard her going down the stairs with a kind of 
unutterable despair. She listened until she could hear 
her no longer, then trembling with terror she lay quite 
still, with her heart pounding, fearful even to breathe 
aloud lest the rats should find her out. A thousand 
images of horror surrounded her ; the winter’s wind 
sighed mournfully without, shaking the old tree which 


THE WRECKERS. 


89 


stood near the house, and causing the spreading branches 
to scratch against the window-pane. She fancied it was 
the black man trying to climb into her room. She would 
have shrieked for some one to come and save her, but 
she did not dare. She would have fled, groping in the 
darkness for Jane, though she knew she was afar off, 
down-stairs in the kitchen, but she thought she might 
fall into his arms. Then she actually heard a rat gnaw- 
ing at the wood- work in the corner. Cold chills crept 
over her. For a moment he ceased, and she thought 
she could hear him now crossing the floor toward her 
bed. 

Alas ! alas ! for the Indian torture which is going on 
in your homes every day, ye who read these words. 
Think what it means when you have only one impending 
terror haunting you day and night. Remember how you 
lay awake, and tossed through the weary hours, when 
there seemed to threaten you the single spectre of finan- 
cial ruin. How the head throbbed, and all to-morrow 
appeared like one great yawning chasm, as though hell 
had opened, and you with staggering feet were plunging 
in : not a real terror, for it was not real ; the ruin did 
not come; but it seemed real to you. And all your 
strength of reason and matured powers of mind could 
not banish that spectre from your presence. 

What mean ye, then, when ye take an innocent, un- 
suspecting little child, with reason all immature, and 
imagination to lend reality to every dream, and people 
that child’s life with not one terror but a thousand? 
Do you know what I would do to you, ye who persist 
in this thing, if I were emperor? I would have you 
fastened to the cart’s tail and whipped publicly through 
8 * 


90 


THE WRECKERS. 


the streets. You want to teach your child to be good, 
forsooth ! What irony ! And so you tell lies, or per- 
mit some ignorant servant-girl to do it, of rats, and 
bears, and what-not. Do you not know that only base 
character can grow out of base motives ; that the nobler 
the motive to which appeal is made, the loftier will be 
the type of man or woman which results ? 

How long she lay there she knew not. Not very 
long, as the clock goes; but the clock does not know 
how to reckon time during some experiences. Ages had 
passed away in that child’s existence when she heard a 
footstep stealing stealthily into the room. She could 
bear it no longer, for she had heard such strange sounds 
all the evening. She uttered a sharp, stifled cry of 
agony. 

Don’t be afraid, darlin’,” a voice said, in a low tone ; 
^^it’s only Jane. I wanted to scratch her eyes out when 
I saw her bringin’ you up here all alone ; but it wouldn’t 
do to say nothin’, you know, ’cause it might only make 
her mad, an’ then I might not be able to help you any 
more. We mustn’t speak loud, ’cause she might hear 
us, an’ send me into my own room again ; but I’d come 
back as soon as she went away. I would, if she killed 
me for it. How cold you are !” crawling in beside her, 
snuggling up close, and kissing her cheek. Now go 
to sleep ; don’t be afraid ; Jane won’t let anything hap- 
pen to you ; good-night.” It seemed like the voice of 
an angel to the tired child. She drew a long sigh. 

Oh, I’m so glad you’ve come !” she said. Good- 
night.” 

She laid her little chubby hand trustfully in that of 
her friend, and, with the other resting upon the pillow. 


THE WRECKERS. 


91 


the drooping eyelids closed, and in a few moments she 
was asleep. 

Rest peacefully, little one ; this is a hard world, and 
thy baby feet seem scarcely fitted for the journey. 


CHAPTER y. 

MRS. FELIX EXPERIENCES PHYSICAL PROSTRATION, AC- 
COMPANIED BY AN OPTICAL ILLUSION, CAUSING HER TO 

SEE STARS. 

The next day was the Sabbath. Very early in the 
morning Jane awoke, and crept out of bed with as little 
noise as possible, that she might not disturb the slum- 
berer beside her. Katie stirred a little and opened her 
eyes, but when the other whispered, Go to sleep, darlin’ ; 
it^s only Jane,” she lay quite still, and soon her steady 
breathing gave assurance that she slept again. Then the 
girl stooped gently and kissed her cheek, but so softly 
that it seemed to Katie, as she dreamed, as if some child 
spirit, just starting on its upward journey, had tarried 
for a moment to smile on her, and say, — 

Good-by ; I will soon return for you.” 

After that, she stepped softly into her own room. 

I can get some sleep afore the old ’oman comes, any- 
how,” she muttered to herself ; an^ if she should mouse 
up to spy around she won’t be any wiser for it. Leave 
that little thing alone in that ’ere room ? Kot if I knows 
it, Mrs. Felix.” 

She did not sleep very long ; for,” she said, as she 


92 


THE WRECKERS. 


hastily dressed, if that wiper hears me around, she won’t 
be so likely to get up herself, an’ then perhaps the child 
will be let to sleep longer.” 

And now the light began to dawn, and the sun to 
shine into the little attic room. The wind had ceased 
during the night, and though the snow lay everywhere, 
the day seemed just fitted for a bright and beautiful and 
holy Sabbath of delight. Even Jane, despite her mut- 
terings, worked more cheerfully than she was wont. 
Was it entirely because of the sunshine without, or be- 
cause of the consciousness of having performed a kind 
deed when it really cost some self-denial? Whatever 
it was, she did not stop to either ask or answer ; the 
analysis of experiences and motives, that which turns the 
dreariest commonplace life into a romance, which changes 
the level moorland into a battle-field, where the most 
momentous of human conflicts are waged and won or 
lost, she knew nothing of. She only knew that she felt 
happier than she had for a long time ; and as she went 
about her work, humming a tune to herself, she looked 
out of the window, and attributed it all to the sunshine. 

She had a calm conscience, moreover ; a fact which 
may to some people seem a little strange, when they 
have become acquainted with a circumstance which hap- 
pened immediately after she had arisen. When she first 
came down-stairs that morning it was still dark. 

“ If I make an awful racket,” she muttered to herself, 
I’ll not only let the old ’oman know I’m up, but I’ll 
wake her up so thoroughly that when she does go to 
sleep again she’ll sleep on for a bit. She can’t get up 
now, ’cause it ain’t light, an’ so she’ll turn over an’ lie 
all the longer.” 


THE WRECKERS. 


93 


She very quietly provided herself with a tin pan full 
of potatoes. Then she placed the coal-scuttle near the 
door which opened directly from the kitchen into Mrs. 
Felix’s bedroom. Feeling now that all was ready, 
seizing the potatoes, she dashed them with all her strength 
on the bare floor. They rolled in every direction ; the 
pan rattling and thumping, receiving some vigorous 
assistance meanwhile from Jane’s foot. 

Oh, la sakes ! what have I done ?” she shouted, 
loud enough to thoroughly arouse the Felixes to a sense 
of some awful catastrophe. 

Simultaneously there came a sudden scream and a 
grufi* growl from the other room, while the rustle of 
bedclothes and the slapping of bare feet against the floor 
could be distinctly heard : a sign which the girl rightly 
interpreted to signify that her mistress was assuming a 
perpendicular position imtanter. 

Oh, what have I done ?” she shouted again, giving 
the tin pan another kick. 

By this time the door was opened and Mrs. Felix 
came running in, inquiring in sharp tones what was the 
matter. Her husband’s gruff voice could also be heard 
joining in the inquest, thrusting his night-capped head 
as far out as he could. 

The small candle which Jane had placed on the shelf 
gave forth a very dim light, and his wife, forgetful of 
the fact that she was barefooted, rushed in, without 
taking sufficient precaution as to her course and the 
obstacles which might beset her. Nature, however, 
never has any favorites. If a person, even if she pos- 
sesses all the delicate charms of Mrs. Felix herself, runs 
against a coal-scuttle, the laws of nature will never re- 


94 


THE WRECKERS. 


move it. She simply lets it stand; and if the coal- 
scuttle does not give way, then the person running 
against it must. This was the case with Mrs. Felix : 
she gave way ; and when she sought once more to assume 
an upright position, she found that her nearest possible 
approach to it was an obtuse angle skipping about on 
one of its legs. 

“ What do you mean by this uproar, you young huzzy 
she cried, with an exclamation of pain ; for a moment 
setting down her wounded member that she might give 
chase to Jane, and then with another shriek resuming 
her former graceful position, and cushioning her foot in 
both hands. DidnT you know better than to drop 
that pan o’ potatoes, an’ wake us up out o’ a sound 
sleep as though the house was afire, an’ leave that thing 
there for me to fall into ?” 

I didn’t mean for to do it, mum,” persisted Jane, 
with an innocent air. I was just bringin’ ’em in to 
peel for breakfast, an’ they slipped out o’ my hand, 
mum.” 

“ Well, you let ’em slip in again ; an’ mind you don’t 
disturb us any more. Do you hear ?” 

Yes, do you hear ?” chimed in the gruff voice of 
the man, who now ventured to reach out his arm far 
enough to shake his fist. 

Yes’m,” replied Jane, meekly, as she proceeded to 
remove the debris. 

“ Here it is not yet mornin’, an’ you wakin’ us up by 
your clatter an’ carelessness !” continued the irate mis- 
tress. Now don’t you make any more noise ; an’ don’t 
you have breakfast till half-past eight o’clock. An’ if 
you get done your work before then, don’t you set down 


THE WRECKERS. 


95 


an’ fold your hands like a lazy thing, either ; you can 
find enough to do if you want to.” 

Yes, you lazy thing !” echoed the gruff voice. 

Mrs. Felix now made her way into her room, though 
at a much slower pace than that at which she had issued 
from the same. Using one foot and the heel of the 
other, she hobbled back like a rheumatic practising 
gymnastics, muttering indistinct threatenings of ven- 
geance upon Jane, and slammed the door. The low 
rumbling continued at intervals for the next half-hour, 
sometimes in treble and sometimes in bass ; but soon 
after, the difference in the nature of the sounds con- 
vinced the girl that heavy slumber had once more re- 
turned to the eyelids of the weary Felixes, who were 
now in dreamland, joyfully amusing themselves with a 
duett of delight, as they saw the figure of Jane balanced 
upon the pitchfork of an individual who shall be name- 
less. 

In the mean time she had stepped into the hall up- 
stairs, and opened the door leading into the garret, to 
reassure herself that Katie had not been awakened by 
the tumult. 

I was sure she couldn’t hear through all them doors,” 
she whispered, but I didn’t think it was goin’ to make 
quite so much noise. She’s all right, though ; dear little 
beauty ! And so are you, Mr. and Mrs. Bluebeard ; 
especially the missus,” chuckling to herself, and looking 
toward the door leading from the kitchen into their room. 
Then she continued at her work as we have seen her, 
disturbed by no pangs of conscience, singing to herself 
in a low voice, looking out of the window, and feeling 
very happy because of the sunshine. 


96 


THE WRECKERS. 


The bright beams lit up the dreary attic where the 
child lay asleep. They crept toward her as though they 
would fain protect her from the darkness evermore. 
The hours passed by, and still she wakened not. 

See, she smiles in her slumber. She is dreaming still. 
The child spirit has come again, and said to her, I can- 
not take you with me yet, to live, but I will in good 
time. Come, and I will go with you, and then I must 
return beyond the skies, for Tis very beautiful where 
I dwell. And you shall dwell there, too ; but not 
yet.'^ 

And so they passed together through green fields and 
along the side of a murmuring stream, where very beau- 
tiful flowers grew, and all the air was filled with fragrance. 
And the child said, Let us stay here.’’ 

And the spirit answered, ^^Some time; but not 
now.” 

And again they passed on till they came to a dreary 
moor, and the clouds were very dark above them, and 
the blackness of night settled over them, and the thun- 
ders shook the earth, and the lightnings showed only a 
bleak and barren plain, with grim mountains towering 
up beyond. And the child trembled, and said, “ Must I 
pass over this plain?” And the spirit answered, in a 
voice which was very sweet and tender, — 

Yes, but do not fear ; though you cannot see me, I 
will be with you all the way.” 

So she led her along till they came to a great city. 
And she said, I will show you my home, where I lived 
when I was here.” 

They walked on through wide streets with stately 
mansions on either side. 


THE WRECKERS. 


97 


" You must have had a very beautiful home/’ said the 
child. 

Yes/’ answered the spirit ; “ it was beautiful. There 
are very few homes in this street so beautiful as mine.” 

At last they came to what seemed to be a very narrow 
lane, with towering houses; and some seemed almost 
ready to fall upon them as they passed. There were 
rough faces in the streets, and the people appeared to be 
very poor. 

When will we come to your beautiful home ?” asked 
the child, as she clung more closely to her guide. 

We are almost there now,” answered the other. 

Then they turned into a still narrower alley, and be- 
gan climbing up a flight of old creaking stairs. On 
their way up, there met them a boy, with a bright, happy 
face, and carrying in his hand a pail. 

^^This is my brother,” said the spirit; ^^and he is 
happier than almost anybody who lives in any one of 
those mansions. He does not know that I am near him, 
but see : I will make him happy, and he shall not know 
what it is that brings so sudden gladness into his heart.” 
Then the child saw the spirit press her lips against his 
cheek, and he smiled, not knowing her, or seeing her, and 
passed on. 

They entered a little room, which was on almost the 
top floor. A woman sat sewing for her daily bread. 
An open Bible lay before her, and often she paused to 
wipe away the tears that dimmed her eyes. Then she 
would read aloud a promise from the book, and smile, 
and look up, and sometimes clasp her hands, as though 
in momentary prayer. One promise written there she 
seemed to repeat a great many times : 

E ^ 9 


98 


THE WRECKERS. 


^^Our light affliction, which is but for a moment 
worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight 
of glory ; while we look not at the things which are 
> seen, but at the things which are not seen : for the things 
which are seen are temporal ; but the things which are 
not seen are eternal.’^ 

And the spirit said, — 

This was my home. See, I will make my mother 
happy too.’^ Then she put her white arms about the 
woman^s neck, and stroked her hair, and wiped away her 
tears, and laid her soft cheek close to hers, and whispered 
in a low, silvery tone, such as that in which angels 
speak, — 

Listen to the words of the Master : Fear none of 
those things which thou shalt suffer; be thou faithful 
unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life ; 

Thy sun shall no more go down, neither shall thy 
moon withdraw itself ; for the Lord shall be thine ever- 
lasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be 
ended.’^ 

And the careworn look on the woman’s face faded 
away, and she too smiled ; and she knew not that the 
spirit of the little child, whose voice she had never 
thought to hear again in this world, was so near her ; 
only she felt very happy, and could not tell why. 

And do you angel spirits come back to earth to help 
us in our trouble ?” asked the child. 

“ Oh, yes,” said the other. Heaven is very near. 
Heaven is everywhere, where there is no sin ; heaven is 
all about us here.” 

Then she laid her fingers on the child’s eyes, and be- 
hold, as they looked through the window, the narrow 


THE WRECKERS. 99 

alley and the dreary street seemed full of pure and holy 
forms, each bearing some message of peace. 

And who are these asked the child. 

And tlie voice answered, Are they not all ministering 
spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs 
of salvation?’’ 

But you said your home was very beautiful ?” 

^^j^nd so it was,” replied the spirit again ; for we each 
loved the other very dearly, and tried to be patient, and 
deny ourselves, that the others might be happier because 
we lived. There is no other beautiful home but such an 
one, my child.” 

And as she spoke, the door opened and the boy 
entered. 

Here’s the water, mother,” he said, as he laid down 
the pail ; can I help you any more ?” And the mother 
answered, — 

No, child ; go and play now.” So he kissed her 
and went out. Then the dingy room and the narrow 
alley faded away, and the spirit led her to a humble 
cottage which she recognized as her old home. 

‘^Good-by,” said the spirit; ‘^1 must leave you 
now.” 

Good-by,” answered the child. 

So she seemed to be in the little sitting-room as of 
old, seated on Mike’s lap, with her head on his shoulder, 
and the dog looking up into their faces. And she heard 
him read, as she had so many times, the very verses 
which the careworn woman had read in the dreary 
chamber ; and she heard him tell her again, as he had 
so often before, just what the spirit told her: that only 
good people were happy, and that any home would be 


100 


THE WRECKERS. 


beautiful where love was. And she said, as she nestled 
more closely into his bosom, — 

I thought I never should see you any more. I have 
been oh ! so unhappy. There were bad people where I 
was.” And he answered, — 

It was only a dream, darlin^ You are here with 
papa, and he will never let any bad people have you.” 
Then he covered her face with kisses, and pressed her 
in his great strong arms. She was so happy to think 
it was all a dream, and said, as she placed her baby hand 
in his, — 

We will be always together ; won’t we, papa?” 

^^Yes, little one,” he answered; and he kissed her 
once more. But the lips which touched her cheek 
seemed not like those of his great bearded face ; they 
were soft as a woman’s. Then his form grew very 
indistinct. She was no longer in his arms, or even in 
the cosey room. Still the pressure of the lips lingered 
on her cheek; and as her eyes partly opened, a tender 
voice said, — 

Come, darlin’ : we must hurry now, for it is very 
late. Don’t be afraid. It’s only Jane.” 


I 


> 


THE WRECKERS. 


101 


CHAPTER VI. 

IN WHICH MRS. FELIX IS CONSIDERABLY “SHOOK 
WITH AN EARTHQUAKE. 

As Jane was helping Katie to dress, the shrill voice 
of her mistress was heard from below calling her name. 
The child still lingered in a mist of dreamland, scarcely 
knowing that she was yet awake, except by that heavy 
undefined sinking at the heart which the morning had 
brought to many a tired soul before her, and will bring 
again to many another after her, gave a sudden start, 
and then throwing her arms about the girPs neck, began 
to cry. 

Don’t cry, baby dear,” said the other. Tisn’t any- 
thin’ but the cacklin’ o’ the old hen. I’ve fixed her 
though, for one while. She won’t come totin’ up here 
to put you to bed again very quick. — Yes’m, I’m cornin’, 
just as fast as ever I can,” as the sounds grew more 
tumultuous below. ^^Let her cackle; I don’t care. 
Kow, darlin’, put your arm into the sleeve. — Yes’m, 
right away.” Then, in an undertone, Holler if you 
want to. Hope you’ll get enough of it by’n by; you 
may make your throat as sore as your old shin for all 
I care.” 

Jane, you come down here right away, an’ don’t let 
me call you again,” shrieked the voice from below. 

Wait a moment, Katie, I’ll be right back,” said the 
girl, running to the head of the stairs and leaning over. 

I’ll come the very moment I can, Mrs. Felix,” she 
9 * 


102 


THE WRECKERS. 


cried, but tlie roof’s leaked awful duriii’ the night, an’ 
if I don’t mop it up right away it’ll be runnin’ clean 
through the floors an’ down stairs, an’ all over every- 
thing. It’s awful !” 

Oh, mercy me !” exclaimed the woman. Mop it 
up this minute, an’ don’t you dare to come down-stairs 
till it’s all dry. Joshua ! Joshua !” she shouted. Where 
is that man Joshua ?” 

You needn’t be callin’ for Joshua,” muttered Jane, 
as she returned to Katie. I see him a goin’ down the 
street for a Sunday bender fifteen minutes ago.” 

But where is the water ?” asked Katie, looking 
around. 

Oh, that’s all in my eye ; there ain’t no water ; but 
I knowed the old man was away, an’ the old ’oman 
won’t trouble us for a bit, I reckon. She was callin’ 
for the arnike when I come up. I fixed her ; an’ I’ll 
fix her again if she lamms you any more.” 

But wasn’t that a wrong story ?” asked the child. 

Oh, yes, darlin’ ; it was a wrong story,” answered 
Jane, after a moment of thoughtfulness, making big 
eyes and wagging her head in what she intended to be 
a very solemn manner. ‘‘Don’t you never tell a fib 
like that ; never, never, n-e-v-e-r ! But then, Jane, she 
ain’t nobody nohow, you know. Jane’s got to lie some- 
times to get even with the old ’oman. If I didn’t lie a 
little, you know, instead o’ dressin’ you here, I’d have 
to be down there rubbin’ her old shin. But don’t you 
never lie. Katie, promise Jane you’ll never lie.” 

“ No,” answered the child, “ my papa told me it was 
wicked to tell lies ; and he said that nobody could go to 
heaven who did that. Aren’t you going to heaven, Jane ?” 


THE WRECKERS. 


103 


Well, I dunno,^’ replied the other, with an undefined 
consciousness that in some way her logic had failed of 
its design. Yes, I hope so, some day ; when I get 
through with the old ’oman. Come, now, you’re all 
dressed. Put your arms around Jane’s neck? that’s 
right. Now she’ll carry you down-stairs. If Mrs. 
Felix says anything to you about the water, don’t you 
tell a lie. Tell her you don’t know.” 

Very tenderly she bore her to the hall below. Then 
placing her down, she whispered, — 

Now you stand here till she calls, an’ then you just 
sing out, ^ Yes, I’m cornin’ ; I’m half-way down now.’ 
I’ll be listenin’, an’ I’ll call away her attention somehow. 
She shan’t lamm you again if I can help it.” 

With a fluttering heart Katie stood listening. Soon 
the voice called. 

Yes’m,” she answered. “ I’m coming ; I’m almost 
down now.” 

Mrs. Felix ! Mrs. Felix !” shouted Jane. Oh, 
where’s that arnike ? Oh, how I’ve burned my finger 
against the stove ! Oh, la ! Oh, la !” 

Amid the confusion which ensued Katie descended 
unobserved, and went into the kitchen, where the table 
'was spread for her breakfast. 

Well, you’ve got the arnike at last,” said the woman. 

Surprisin’ how quick you can find it when you want 
to use it on yourself. Here I been a callin’ for it all the 
mornin’, an’ my leg a achin’ like it was all barked to 
pieces. You’re done with it now' ; give it to me, an’ I’ll 
go in an’ rub myself. Hurry up with them dishes an’ 
go ofiP to Sunday-school, an’ take that young thing with 
you.” 


104 


THE WRECKERS. 


Mrs. Felix was very scrupulous regarding the observ- 
ance of the Sabbath. Her mother had been a devout 
Methodist ; a truly good woman. The daughter had 
carried the habits of childhood into mature years, and 
every Sabbath found her, with her household, in the 
congregation, listening to the discourse, and giving it all 
away. As the clergyman's sermon was the only thing 
she ever did give away (being usually absorbed in her 
devotions when the collection-box came round), she felt 
called upon to distribute it in very large chunks to all 
her neighbors and friends. Jane especially was ‘^fed 
with the Word” for the whole week, whenever occasion 
presented itself. 

Itdl be a good while afore she can go to meetiA to 
find any new names to sling at me,” the girl chuckled to 
herself ; remembering the frequency with which she had 
been likened to Jezebel and the scarlet woman. 

“ What’s the matter, Katie ? you don’t eat nothin’,” 
exclaimed she, as she noticed that the child left the dainty 
piece of meat which she had slyly saved for her un- 
touched. Ha’n’t you got no appetite this mornin’ ?” 

“ I don’t want anything to eat,” replied the child, her 
eyes filling with tears. “ I want to see my papa again. 
I dreamed that I was with him last night ; and he said 
he never would let her get me any more. Then I woke 
up and found he wasn’t here at all, and it was all a 
dream. He never left me alone so long before. Will 
he come for me to-day, Jane ?” 

don’t know, my darlin’. He’ll come by’n by, 
perhaps, if you’re a good girl an’ eat up your breakfast.” 
And she continued sweeping up the crumbs, muttering 
to herself about people as would leave their own flesh 


THE WRECKERS. 


105 


an’ blood lyin’ loose around the country like a bundle 
in the express office, to be left till called for.” 

“ Jane !” shouted the high treble of Mrs. Felix from 
the next room, don’t you know it’s most time for Sun- 
day-school? Here you are dilly-dallying around on 
the Lord’s holy day, an’ this the very Sunday when Mr. 
Cole’s goin’ to talk about the poor heathen !” 

The poor heathen be blowed !” muttered Jane in an 
undertone, as she hung up her broom and retired up- 
stairs with Katie, to get ready for their departure. 

The crisp winter’s morning put her in a better humor ; 
and even Katie forgot in a measure her sorrows as they 
walked gayly along toward the church. 

If this wasn’t the heathen Sunday we’d hookie it,” 
she said ; but I’m afraid the old ’oman ’ll catch me, by 
askin’ me how many was converted since the last report. 
I’ll tell you what we’ll do. Let’s stay till I get the 
figures, an’ then you be took sick, an’ we’ll have to be 
excused. Oh, no, that won’t do either. That would be 
tellin’ a lie ; an’ don’t you never tell any lies, you know. 
It’s wicked ; it’s awful wicked. Besides that, she might 
find it out an’ wax you. I’ll be took sick. She can’t 
wax me even if she does find it out ; she can only blow, 
an’ she’ll do that anyhow, so we might as well give her 
some’n to blow for.” 

So at the proper time Jane was seized with a violent 
pain in her stomach, which, as she described it to the 
teacher, made her feel kind o’ criss-cross all-overish, 
so she couldn’t stand it no longer.” It was astonishing 
how speedily she revived when she had once regained the 
stimulating atmosphere of the street and her back was 
turned on the Sunday-school. It was the first outing” 


106 


THE WRECKERS. 


she had had that week, and she actually skipped with 
delight at her sense of freedom, as she walked through 
the village in an opposite direction from her home. 
When they were almost out of sight and hearing of the 
church, there fell upon their ears the indistinct sound of 
the scholars’ voices singing, — 

“Oh, how I love the Sunday-school ! 

The Sunday-school, the Sunday-school ! 

Oh, how I love the Sunday-school 
Upon the Sabbath-day 1” 

All right,” she muttered. Love it if you want to. 
Break your heart over it if you want to. You can 
have it all ; I don’t want any of it.” 

As they walked on, the whole influence of nature 
was exhilarating. They wandered up through the back 
streets of the village, as far as the snow-plough had 
cleared away the track. They looked longingly toward 
the country roads, but the drifts were too high. It seemed 
almost to them like a new world to get out from the 
little hotel, the pent-up scene of wrangling and discon- 
tent, into the pure crisp morning, with the earth and the 
sky all telling of gladness. 

What will I say if Mrs. Felix asks us where we’ve 
been ?” inquired Katie, feeling the nippings of conscience. 

Say we’ve been to school,” replied Jane. 

“ But suppose she asks me if we came right home ?” 
persisted the child. 

Tell her yes. So we are ; we’re goin’ right through 
this street, an’ then right through another street, an’ then 
right through another street, an’ so right home. That 
ain’t no fib. ’Taint no business o’ hern, nohow.” 


THE WRECKERS. 


107 


Katie said no more, but felt that in some manner there 
was a strange discrepancy between the teaching of her 
new preceptor and her old one, — though wherein the 
difference lay she could not have told. Like the great 
mass of untrained people in the world, she felt the truth 
rather than perceived it. It was with considerable trepi- 
dation that she returned to the presence of Mrs. Felix. 
She drew close to Jane as they entered the gate, and 
passed up the walk toward the house. The keen, sus- 
picious eyes of the woman saw them as they came in, 
and immediately she thought she recognized on the face 
of the child a sense of guilt. Doubtless she did. How 
many a man looks back with quiet amusement, not un- 
mixed with pain, to the day when he smoked his first 
cigar, and then, with a troubled conscience and by no 
means pacific stomach, climbed into his mothers lap, as 
she sat in the old rocking-chair, and, laying his head 
against her shoulder, felt the awful burden for the first 
time of cherishing a guilty secret which he could not 
share with her. He remembers his surprise at her 
powers of divination when she kissed him, and then 
asked if he had been smoking ; how wonderful he 
thought it was that she should know or even suspect. 

And to-day, as he sits with his feet upon the fender, 
idly watching the rings of smoke as they float away, 
dreaming of the long ago, and in the hazy cloud seeing 
faces which have long since changed this present mystery 
for that which lies beyond, he feels that the most price- 
less possession he has ever had and lost was that unsul- 
lied purity of childhood, which could not dissimulate 
even when it tried. 

Since those days he has filled his lap perhaps with 


108 


THE WRECKERS. 


many treasures, but he sighs as he remembers the many 
flowers he has crushed beneath his feet in the search for 
them. Then he turns again to that dog-eared page of 
his Tom Hood, and wonders if after all life’s experience 
is worth what it has cost, while he reads, — 

“ I remember, I remember, 

The fir-trees dark and high ; 

I used to tbink their slender tops 
Were close against the sky. 

It was a childish ignorance, 

But now, ’tis little joy 
To know I’m farther OS’ from heaven 
Than when I was a boy.” 

Did you go straight to Sunday-school ?” asked Mrs. 
Felix. 

^^Yes’m,” replied the child, with some hesitation. 

An’ did you come straight home ?” 

'' Yes’m.” 

The woman glared at her a moment, and then ex- 
claimed, — 

I’ll see about that ; an’ mind, if you’ve been tellin’ 
me a lie, it’ll be worse for you. Jane !” 

Yes’m,” responded that individual from the next 
room. 

^^Come in here.” When she had obeyed the sum- 
mons, her mistress asked in sharp tones, — 

^^Did you an’ this gell come straight home after 
school ?” 

Yes’m,” replied she. Of course we came straight 
home ; just as straight as we could.” Then noticing the 
look of suspicion on the face of her questioner, she 


THE WRECKERS. 


109 


added what she had previously determined to add, in 
case she found herself convicted of an apparent false- 
hood, We came home just as straight as we could, but 
we couldn’t come exactly straight home, ’cause I was 
took awful sick, an’ we had to go up by way o’ the back 
streets, to try to see the doctor ; but he wasn’t in. Katie 
didn’t know nothin’ about it, though ; she thought we 
was cornin’ straight home, an’ I didn’t tell her no dif- 
ferent.” 

The woman glared at the child again. 

An’ didn’t you know that you wasn’t tellin’ me the 
truth ; that on the Lord’s holy day you was tellin’ an 
awful lie ?” 

Ko, marm,” said Katie, beginning to cry. 

Jane, who was standing behind Mrs. Felix, now shook 
her head violently at the child, to signify that she must 
persist in her negations ; making big eyes meanwhile, 
and pretending to slap one hand against the other, by 
way of suggesting the painful consequences which might 
ensue should her duplicity be discovered. 

What ?” cried the woman, seizing her by the shoul- 
der and shaking her. It seemed like the crack of a 
pistol to the startled ears of the child. 

Tell me the truth this minute, or I’ll have the big 
black man come right away and eat you up.” 

Jane shook her head more vigorously than before, 
trying to convey the intelligence at the same time, by 
silent motions of her lips, that there was no such thing 
as any black man at all,” and that it was a big whop- 
per.” 

It was all to no purpose, however ; Katie was not yet 
sufficiently initiated in the art of deception. As soon as 

10 


110 


THE WRECKERS. 


she found that she was really suspected, her courage for- 
sook her utterly, and she sobbed forth, — 

I didn’t mean to, marm ; I didn’t mean to tell a lie. 
Don’t let the black man have me this time. I will be 
good.” 

Then you knew, did you, that you were telling a 
falsehood?” 

Yes’m, but I never will again. I never will again. 
Please don’t whip me.” 

In her 4«rror she fell on her face and actually grov- 
elled 'at the woman’s feet. Mrs. Felix stood glowering 
above her, with her teeth tightly shut, her hands clasped, 
and the deep lines showing themselves in her vixenish 
face. 

Get up !” she cried, as she struck her with her foot. 

The child shrank from her in fright. 

You’ll lie to me, will you ! We’ll see about that. 
Jane, you go into the next room.” 

The girl did not move. 

Go into the next room ; do you hear ?” 

She sauntered slowly toward the door, as though hesi- 
tating what to do. 

Hurry up about it,” exclaimed the mistress. ^^Don’t 
be all day. You’ve got enough to do to go about your 
work. I can attend to her.” 

Oh, don’t whip me ! don’t whip me !” cried the 
terrified child again. I will never do it again. Don’t 
whip me !” 

Mrs. Felix said nothing, but stood scowling at Jane 
until she had withdrawn. Then she walked deliberately 
over with those wafer lips pressed together, and shut and 
locked the door. 


THE WRECKERS. 


Ill 


1^11 teach you to lie to me,” she said, slowly shaking 
her head and glaring again at her victim. 

The child, now almost wild with terror at the uncer- 
tain fate which awaited her, shrunk into a corner, turn- 
ing away her face as she felt the gaze of her tormentor 
fixed upon her, and exclaimed again, — 

Oh, dear ! oh, dear ! I didn’t mean to ! I didn’t 
mean to ! If you’ll only forgive me this time I will be 
very good. I will never be so wicked again.” 

The woman made no reply, but with the d^iberation 
of Sanson at the guillotine, walked, or rather limped 
on her lame foot, toward the bureau. Opening it, she 
brought out a wide thick strap, a part of an old harness. 
Katie uttered a fresh cry when she saw it, and buried 
her face in her hands. 

Coldly and leisurely, as though gloating in the an- 
guish of the child, she drew it several times through her 
hand, keeping her eye fixed remorselessly on her victim. 

Y ou lied to me. I’ll give you a lesson that you’ll 
remember just as long as you live. You’re a young’n, 
but you might as well learn it now as at any other time.” 

Saying this, with the same grim determination she 
grasped the strap more firmly, and hobbling across the 
room, lifted her hand above her shoulder. The child 
crouched in the corner and threw her little arms above 
her, as though to avert the blow. 

Don’t whip me,” she cried again. I will be good.” 

You little liar ! I’ll whip you within an inch of 
your life.” 

The hand descended with what was meant to be a ter- 
rific blow, but when it came down it was empty. 

Ko, you won’t whip her within an inch of her life,” 


112 


THE WRECKERS. 


hissed the voice of Jane behind her, as she grasped the 
strap at the very moment when Mrs. Felix’s hand was 
descending. We’ll see if you will.” 

The bedroom had two doors : one leading into the hall 
through which Jane had been dismissed, and which the 
woman had shut and locked, and another, as we have 
seen, leading from the kitchen, which had no lock, but 
only a latch. Here it was that Jane had been standing, 
muttering to herself and clinching her fists during her 
mistress’s deliberate preparations. She had been in the 
household now for two years, and had never attempted 
to rebel against her authority, bearing silently all kinds 
of abuse except personal violence, which Mrs. Felix 
never had offered, as she seemed too big and strong. 
She was one of those persons who appear to have been 
born to be imposed upon, and take to it naturally, as a 
dog does to the fleas which bite him. Her deepest na- 
ture, however, which perhaps never could have been 
stirred to make much effort in her owm behalf, had been 
called forth in sympathy for this little waif, so friendless 
and alone. Her habit of surly compliance had kept her 
outside the door until the last moment of peril to her 
adopted charge. Then, forgetting all else, she rushed in, 
with only the single thought of saving her. 

As she wrenched the strap the great buckle at the end 
tore its way through Mrs. Felix’s hand, leaving an ugly 
gash across the palm and several fingers. Never was 
mortal more surprised. Shrieking with pain and anger, 
she turned toward Jane, and shouted, — 

Oh, you vixen ! Give me that strap this minute, 
and get out of this room !” 

I won’t ! Not without that child.” 


THE WRECKERS. 


113 


It was the first time she had ever answered her thus. 
She stood there, with her usually dull eye now inflamed 
with defiant fury ; her arms, grasping the strap, thrown 
back over her shoulder in an attitude of defence; her 
hot pulses beating violently and sending the blood into 
her face. In that moment she would have faced an 
army of ten thousand men, — yes, if it meant certain 
death. 

Give it to me, I say, this minute !’’ cried Mrs. Felix 
again. 

I won’t !” responded the girl once more, standing 
motionless and firm, as conscious and conscientious 
strength alone knows how to stand. They were both of 
them angry ; but with one it was the anger of vengeance, 
which is the anger of devils. With the other it was the 
anger of indignation, which is the anger of God. And 
God won. Hell, as in olden time, — yes, as in every 
time, — trembled in the presence of divinity. We have 
seen that Mrs. Felix was a bully ; we do not need to 
say, therefore, that she was a coward. A bully is simply 
a coward in masquerade. 

“ What do you mean in cornin’ into my room an’ in- 
terferin’ in my bringin’ up this gell in the way she 
should go ? Don’t you know I’m only tryin’ to do it 
for her own good?” she asked, in a more subdued 
tone. 

Well, you ain’t goin’ to wax her when I’m around,” 
said the girl, fiercely. I’d be ashamed ! Lickin’ a 
little innocent child, not six years old, as though she 
was a boss. Lickin’ her for lyin’, an’ then lyin’ to her in 
the same breath ! Tellin’ her about a black man an’ a 
bear ! Look under that bed, Katie ; don’t you see she’s 
h 10* 


114 


THE WRECKERS. 


been lyin’ to you ? There ain’t no bear there, an’ there 
never was,” she continued, her indignation growing in 
vehemence with its expression in speech. 

Do you want to spoil the child ?” said the other, her 
fury once more returning. You houseless beggars ! 
I’ll put you both out into the street.” 

Pay me my wages, then, that you been owin’ me for 
the last eleven months, an’ we’ll go into the street,” re- 
plied Jane. “Spoil the child?” And then, made more 
reckless by the expectation of her dismissal, with the 
mutterings of two years finding their escape at last, she 
continued : “ I’m spoilin’ to spoil you, so I am ; an’ I’ll 
do it, too, if you lay a little finger of your skinny old 
hand on her again. Gi’ me my wages an’ we’ll go, I 
tell you.” 

Mrs. Felix became calmer immediately. She saw that 
Jane was in earnest, and could not be brow-beaten into 
acquiescence. She was actually afraid of a thrashing 
from the enraged girl, who, though but seventeen years 
of age, was strong beyond her years. She knew, more- 
over, that she did not have the money to pay the wages 
which she demanded, and consequently could not dis- 
charge her even if she would. It was a dilemma from 
which there was no escape, so in a very subdued tone, 
which was meant to be conciliatory, she said, — 

“Jane, you forget that I am your mistress. You 
know I only intended to do the best I could to bring up 
this gell right. If you think you can do any better, try 
it an’ see. I haven’t the heart to turn you an’ her out 
on this cold winter’s day. I wouldn’t think of such a 
thing, anyhow, after you have been in my house for two 
years. In many respects you’ve been a very faithful 


THE WRECKERS. 


115 


gell ; an’ if you want to have charge of her, why, you 
see what you can do with her, that’s all. It’s a sin for 
us to stand here quarrellin’ like this on the Lord’s holy 
day. I’m all tired to death with it an’ have got to lie 
down. You take her an’ go into the kitchen.” 

Jane, scarcely understanding the new turn that affairs 
had taken, was very willing to depart with Katie in her 
arms. The child understood it still less, and with her 
hands tightly clasped about her protector’s neck, did not 
even breathe as she was being borne out of the room, 
lest she should be summoned back again by the shrill 
command of the woman whose very presence filled her 
with terror. 

The girl sat down with her in the rocking-chair by 
the kitchen fire, and with tear-stained face close up 
against Katie’s hot cheek, her arms wound firmly about 
her, she called her her “ little angel, and told her many 
times that she would take care of her ; that she should 
grow up to be her little girl and never have to do any 
work, but only play just as she chose through all the 
hours of the day. She told her how she would work so 
hard that she might buy her nice clothes again, and how, 
when they grew old, they would go and live in some 
little house all by themselves, and have many other little 
girls about them, whom they could make happy. And 
when the child grew tired of her stories, then she sung 
to her in a low, crooning tone a lullaby. There was not 
much melody there ; you or I might have found much 
to criticise ; but I think it fell like sweetest music on the 
ears of God’s angels. For as they looked in and beheld 
that scene, they saw a poor outcast girl, who had received 
her education chiefly from the streets during her neglected 


116 


THE WRECKERS.^ 


childhood ; who had never known much else but blows 
and threatenings, but who now, for the first time in her 
lonely life, had learned to love. 


CHAPTEK yiL 

NATURE DEMANDS HER PAY. 

When Mike, half crazed with the tidings of the 
burning ship, and of the subsequent landing and escape 
of Signor Porta, rushed forth from the office of the Nep- 
tune steamship line, it was with a spirit of utter despair. 
He was not the kind easily to rebuild a future from a 
broken past ; it seemed as though the ruins lay heavily 
upon him, crushing him, and he with no possible escape. 
All he could do was to cry out within himself, over and 
over again, — 

Oh, my God ! Oh, my God ! Dead ! Dead ! Maggie 
dead ! And Katie lost ! Oh, my God ! Oh, my God 
He did not see the people as they looked at this 
strangely-acting man, moaning to himself as he hurried 
on. There were but two facts in the universe to him in 
that hour ; he knew that the only woman he had ever 
loved, and whom, notwithstanding her sin, he loved 
still, was nevermore to be seen by him in this world. 
She was gone, — gone ! How the word sounded as he 
repeated it to himself! If he could only have seen her 
once more ! Could only have felt the pressure of her 
hand as she was dying, and heard some last word of 
penitence 1 If he could only have knelt beside her in 


THE WRECKERS. 


117 


that last dread hour and prayed God to wipe away this 
black guilt from her soul ! But she was gooe, — gone, — 
gone ! 

It all came back to him, — the past. He remembered 
how she looked on that morning when he first saw her 
long ago, standing at the gate of her uncle’s home ; the 
gay, thoughtless merriment of girlhood sparkling in her 
laughing eyes, the long dark hair falling down against 
the light summer dress which she wore ; the red roses on 
the garden wall looking in envy at the blush on her 
round cheeks. He saw it all : the sunlit morning, the 
long garden-walk stretching behind her, fringed with 
hawthorn-bushes, each clad in its pink or white robe of 
summer blossoms ; the comfortable old house, where she 
had lived since the day when her uncle had taken her, as 
an orphaned babe, to be henceforth his own ; a house all 
overgrown with ivy and climbing roses, so that the win- 
dows themselves looked only like strangely-shapen open- 
ings in a wall of green. How little they had thought on 
that morning what the end should be ! Who could have 
guessed that the companion picture to that scene would 
be a burning ship at night, with helpless hands stretched 
out, and frenzied eyes peering forth from a soul more 
tempest-tossed than tlie moaning, mournful sea? Then 
final silence, blackness, wreck ! 

*One other fact he knew : that somewhere in this great 
pitiless world was their child. Somewhere ! But which 
the path he should take to find her ? Who could tell 
him the way ? The man who had ruined the nest, what 
might he not do with the bird ! It was an hour of 
blank, blind despair, and he hurried on, not because he 
knew either what he did or whither he went, but because 


118 


THE WRECKERS. 


his awful sense of helplessness was making him mad, 
and he felt he must do something ; he must go some- 
where; he must move on, move on, and keep hurrying 
forward till he found his child. 

How many hours he walked the streets he did not 
know. At last he found himself in his room, worn out 
with grief ; whether he had been there many hours or 
few he could never tell. That horrible day was like 
some fearful nightmare, in which we take no note of 
time. He was trying to collect his thoughts, that he 
might determine on some immediate action. He was 
as one standing in some great open trackless prairie, 
with no stream or trail to guide him. Yes, there was 
a trail ! very faint at first ; but as he followed it, it grew 
clearer. Hans had spoken of the detectives on that 
first morning after the elopement. So long as there was 
any hope of saving Maggie he had refused to have her 
shame made public. Now that hope was gone it was 
the tiling to do. He wondered that he had not thoufrlit 
of it before. Worn, hungry, faint though he was, he 
roused himself to hurry away to seek them. A minute, 
a moment lost, might prove too late. Nature bade him 
stop for food, but nature herself must now submit to 
that one overmastering passion of his soul, to find his 
child. With haggard eye and hair dishevelled, he stag- 
gered forth into the streets again. It was not yet very 
dark, but the night was just beginning to settle down 
over the city. The lamp-lighter going his rounds met 
him as he came down the steps ; and afterward he spoke 
of the strange, wild, restless look in his eye as Mike 
peered into his face and then hurried on. Pie turned, 
as he supposed, toward the city hall ; he did not know 


THE WRECKERS. 


119 


that it would be open at this late hour, but he might at 
least inquire there, and find where to apply for the 
detectives whom he sought. 

Perhaps his child might be in the streets! These 
streets I Perhaps hungry and nowhere to go ; forsaken 
by the scoundrel who had ruined her mother. Possibly 
Porta might be there! He ground his teeth at the 
thought of meeting him. He would look. He would 
scan every face of child or man whom he met ; he would 
find her ! — Yes, if he wandered about all the night long. 
By this time he had forgotten all about the detectives. 
She must be in those streets somewhere. The idea seized 
him and possessed him. He could think of nothing else. 
Yes, something else ; he must be there, somewhere, too. 

The eye which stared into the passing faces was wilder 
now than before. There was a strange light in it, and 
an apparent exultation, as of a soldier in the moment of 
victory. He shunned the illuminated avenues and wide 
streets, with their crowds and music and laughter, and 
went prowling his way through the deserted thorough- 
fares, with long stretches of vacant lots and board fences 
on either side. Once he stopped and laughed aloud, and 
then seeing a figure in the distance he became quiet in a 
moment, placing his hand over his mouth, bending his 
head forward, crouching low, and stealing on. 

’Some time during the night two men were heard in a 
narrow street crying for help, and when the solitary 
watchman hurried to meet them he found them running 
for fear ; and they declared that a great giant had met 
them in the darkness, and springing upon one of them, 
had demanded that he should give him his child, declar- 
ing that if he did not he would kill him. They said 


120 


THE WRECKERS. 


lie grasped him at the throat and would not let him 
go, until both had succeeded in overpowering him and 
leaving him senseless on the sidewalk. He could not 
have wanted to rob, they said, for when a watch and purse 
fell from the pocket of one in the struggle, he did not 
even notice it, but continued demanding his child. One 
of them showed the marks on his throat where this 
giant had tried to choke him; but when they returned 
with the watchman, he was gone. 

About four o’clock in the morning an officer arrived 
at one of the precinct stations bringing with him a man 
whom, he said, he had found wandering the streets and 
crying. He was all covered with blood and talking 
about his child, and the officer suggested there might 
have been foul play. 

He seemed very docile when he led him in ; and when 
they questioned him, he spoke piteously of a wife and 
child who that night had been stolen from him ; he 
could say no more than this, for every question which 
they asked he failed to notice, except those which led him 
toward the single thought which filled his mind. 

Suddenly, as he stood there, he peered into the face 
of his interrogator, and springing forward, would have 
clutched him had not others fallen on him and restrained 
him. Soon he became quiet again, and moaned, and 
asked for his little Katie.” He said he would be 
very kind to her if they would only let him have her 
once more.” 

Grief, hunger, suspense, cannot be borne forever. Na- 
ture at last was collecting her debt. The man whom he 
had attacked was right when he exclaimed, — 

‘^GoodG— d! He’s mad!” 


THE WRECKERS. 


121 


CHAPTEK yill. 

STRIKING THE TRAIL. 

The following evening, as Hans, having finished his 
supper, sat by the fireside in his home, his feet comforta- 
bly up on the fender of the grate, his pipe in his mouth, 
and the ever-present mug of beer by his side, he suddenly 
brought the two front legs of the chair in which he sat, 
and which had been slightly tipped back, down on the 
floor again, and exclaimed, — 

^‘Vy, Katrine, vat you tinks? Michael is gone mit 
der crazy. Hear you dis, Katrine.’’ 

He then read the account of his insanity and strange 
pleadings which had been sent that day from New York 
to the Jenkinstown Gazette. A letter had been found in 
his pocket, by which they had learned the place of his 
temporary residence in the metropolis ; and by examin- 
ing what few papers he had there, they had discovered 
the name of the town in which he lived. 

Oh, my graciousness !” he said, when he had finished, 
as the hand which held the paper fell by his side, and 
he settled back into his chair, with his head fallen, I 
could cry like dot mine heart vas broke. Poor Michael ! 
goin’ mit der crazy all alone dere in dot big city, und 
nobody mit him, und he cryin’ about dem streets, all 
alone in der darkness. Vy, he vas so jolly all der times 
vonce, dot I jumps mit joy ness ven I see him. Mine 
poor, poor friend ! Yat can I do for you now?” 

F 11 


122 


THE WRECKERS. 


There were various comments among his customers 
when the news had been read and was being discussed ; 
for the reader is aware that thus far no one knew of the 
elopement in Jenkinstown except Hans and Mr. Boston, 
who had written the despatch to Maggie^s uncle. 

Poor fellow !’’ said that gentleman to his wife, as 
they were sitting together in the drawing-room, when he 
had read the paragraph, I hoped he would not take it so 
hard. He was a good, honest man, and I tried to get 
him to look at it in a reasonable light.^’ 

Well, everybody has to have just so much sorrow,’’ 
answered the other ; and if it doesn’t come in one form, 
it will in another.” 

Yes, but people are differently constituted to bear 
sorrow. He wasn’t one of the kind that can easily for- 
get. He wasn’t like old Deacon Peachum, who bellowed 
like a young heifer when his first wife died, so that we 
all thought he surely could not live ; but whom we so 
soon after saw with his benign face set toward the Widow 
Hamilton’s, peacefully ambling over the green at the 
sight of fresh pastures. Hans Volgate tells me that he 
just doted on that frivolous wife of his, and his little 
girl.” 

Well, I think people have got just so much capacity 
for suffering stowed away inside of them ; and when 
any trouble comes, the bigger the torrent, the sooner it’s 
ended. At least, that’s been the result of my observa- 
tion.” 

I don’t know but that’s true, but I’d rather have it 
go off like a cannon, and the smoke clear away, than 
have the steady hourly burning of the slow fuse. I pity 
people like Mike Barney, for their grief seems so hopeless. 


THE WRECKERS. 


123 


Wlien he came here for me to write that despatch, his 
grim, silent despair made me shudder. And yet I ad- 
mired liim, just as much as I despised old bald-headed \ 
Peachum. I think we can set it down as a rule, the ^ 
bigger the soul, the less the howl.’^ ^ 

Hans regarded Mike’s trouble as the signal for him to 
leave nothing undone which in any way could minister 
to his aid. By indefatigable effort he succeeded in con- 
verting the little property of his friend into cash, he 
himself taking charge of the grocery-store until it could 
be sold. Every detail was attended to with the advice 
of Mr. Boston, and therefore according to law, that by 
no possible slip should Mike be defrauded of anything 
which he ought to have kept for him by the trustees 
appointed by the court, of which Hans was one. Finally 
the store itself was sold, and every dollar placed in the 
bank, that from the deposit the unfortunate owner might 
be comfortably maintained in a private asylum until he 
could assume the direction of his own affairs. 

For a time, moreover, the good German sought in 
every way to discover a clue to Katie ; but as the months 
wore on and every attempt proved abortive, hope gradu- 
ally faded, until, with the exception of an occasional 
inquiry sent in the form of a letter, or a still more 
occasional journey, always resulting in the same disap- 
pointment, the events of his life resumed their ordinary 
tenor of quiet routine. 

Thus two years passed away. Hans often visited his 
friend at the asylum. Others did at first ; but there are j 
few things which grow cold sooner than the average./ 
quality of active sympathy. We are selfish even in the 
bestowal of our tears; we seek some fresh excitement 


124 


THE WRECKERS. 


even in our weeping, and the helpless woman whose doors 
the neighbors thronged when, last year, they bore her 
husband’s form out of her sight, for whom, it seemed, 
they none of them could do enough then, to-day sits in 
her lonely home, listening almost in vain for the sound 
of a footstep. But how can she expect them? They 
are all so busy crowding in at some other door-way, which 
next year will be left as desolate as hers is now. People 
like to be made to cry as well as to laugh ; and often they 
like to cry the best. |[ wonder, if we could reach the last 
analysis of our motives, if we should not find selfishness 
at the bottom of much of our well-meant sympathy, and 
whether this might not explain the brevity of its con- 
tinuance after the tingling novelty is gon^ Thus the 
home of the mourner is always crowded, — for a day. It 
is possible to look even on the tragedy at a funeral with 
that half-dreamy melancholy with which we gaze upon a 
play, but which, after all, is productive of so little bet- 
terment of the man. The emotions excited at the bier 
are very often the same kind of a luxury, and they are 
not half so expensive. 

But when these tearful pleasure-seekers have gone 
their way, searching for new scenes over which to weep, 
there is usually found some true and patient soul who 
lingers, like the organist in the dim old cathedral, when 
the tramp of many triflers’ feet has died away, and alone, 
mingles with the falling shadows of the night creeping 
through those great solemn aisles the soft melting har- 
monies which cause heaven to merge with earth. And 
when we meet with such an one, we recognize the crest 
of the true nobility. It is the difference between the 
mock hero and the real, the manikin and the man. One 


THE WRECKERS. 


125 


of the best tests of a deep nature is the staying quality 
of its sympathies. 

Such an one was Hans. And when, one after another, 
the rest of those who had at first seemed to be deeply 
moved by the sufterings of Mike ceased to call on him 
as regularly as they had, and finally dropped out alto- 
gether, this faithful fellow never permitted a week to 
pass without at least bringing with him a bouquet, or 
some other little reminder that out in the great world 
there was a heart somewhere throbbing for the stricken 
one within those walls. 

It was not always permitted that they should meet ; 
for Mike, while generally very docile and obedient, was 
sometimes violent. He could tell, after a while, when 
these frenzies were about to seize him ; for, some hours 
before, there would be a ringing in his head and con- 
vulsive twitchings of the muscles of his body. Then he 
would say to his attendants, — 

If Hans comes to-day, tell him I ainft as well as 
usual, an’ the doctor won’t let me see any one.” After 
this he would go into the cell, which at such times he 
occupied, and permit himself to be bound, that he might 
do himself and others no injury, and await the coming 
delirium. Once the doctor said to him^ — 

Perhaps it might have a soothing effect for your 
friend to be present with you when this comes upon you.” 
But he trembled, and answered, — 

No ! I once broke the bindin’s, you remember, doc- 
tor. Nobody knows what evil I moight do thin. He 
mustn’t be let to get in thin, doctor.” 

Hans soon came to know the meaning of the message, 
and when the attendant had delivered it, and received 
11 * 


126 


THE WRECKERS, 


the little token of remembrance to present to Mike, he 
would ask no questions, but only shake his head, and 
turn sadly away, to repeat his visit sooner again than 
was his wont. 

As the months passed, these periods of frenzy became 
less and less frequent, till at last the physician said to 
him one morning, — 

I think you are almost ready to be discharged now, 
Mike.’^ 

Thank the Lord for that, sir,’^ he answered. 

By the first of next month I think you can be per- 
mitted to go, provided you will make me a promise.^^ 

Anything that’s roight, sir,” he replied. 

You will have occasionally these old fits of frenzy 
coming on. You have now learned to recognize their 
approach very readily. Jenkinstown, where I presume 
you will stop, is not far from here, and I think it will 
be safe for you to go, if you can live in the same house 
with Hans Y olgate, and submit to his surveillance ; and 
furthermore, if, the moment you shall feel these symp- 
toms returning, you will come straight here. It may 
not be necessary for you to remain for any length of 
time, but you must be here under proper treatment dur- 
ing their continuance.” 

Mike very readily promised all that was required, and 
Hans was overjoyed when the news was conveyed to 
him. 

Oh, my graciousness !” he cried, clapping his hands, 
I could laugh me vild mit joyness.” Then with his 
little fat legs wabbling up to Mike, he threw his stumpy 
arms as far about him as they would reach, and continued : 
I vas so happy as never vas before. Oh, I got to blow 


THE WRECKERS. 


127 


my noses right avay quick, by chiminey !’’ Reaching 
for his pocket-handkerchief, wiping .away the tears of 
gladness from his eyes, he sounded a long, loud note of 
thankfulness, which would certainly have been heard in 
the great congregation if the great congregation had been 
there to hear. 

Of course Mike had by no means forgotten, during 
these years, the great burden of his sorrow. That is a 
merciful provision of our Creator, however, which leads 
us in time to become accustomed to the inevitable. He 
had become convinced that he could do nothing, at least 
until he was recovered ; and he had Hans’ assurance that 
he was following every clue, with occasional reports from 
him in reference to the progress of his search. He was 
nevertheless determined that, as soon as health should 
return, the one aim of his life should be to find his child. 
So, after his release, he would sit every morning in Hans’ 
little back family room, reading the papers in search of 
clues and studying the reports of abductions and of lost 
children, which, by special arrangement, were furnished 
by the detectives’ bureau in New York. 

If I’d only read the papers in toime I moight ha’ 
had her wid me now,” he would say, shaking his head. 

It was a sad sight to see him there. The form, re- 
cently so erect, had become slightly bent, as of one bowed 
beneath a burden. The locks were gray which hung 
down on his shoulders, and none would have thought 
him less than fifty years of age. His whiskers had 
become pure white in those two years, and few could 
have readily recognized in the bent old man, sitting so 
quietly before the fireplace, with the paper in his hands, 
the gay, jovial Mike whom we first saw on that winter’s 


128 


THE WRECKERS: 


night. Bob knew him, however; for Hans had long 
since adopted him into his own household. The lonely 
man felt a peculiar tenderness toward his dog ; he seemed 
like the hyphen connecting him with the past. And he 
even fancied that the brute reciprocated more than any- 
body knew this feeling of tenderness and sympathy, as 
he placed his chin across his master’s knee, wagging his 
tail and wrinkling his forehead while he looked up into 
his face. And so Mike came to treat him almost as a 
human being; talking to him, and stroking his head 
fondly, as though he were a child. Sometimes, as they 
sat alone through the long hours, when both Hans and 
Katrine were away, Mike would tell him all about those 
days when he and Katie were accustomed to meet him 
at the door in the old home. Then if he chanced to find 
any item which seemed to cast a ray of hope across his 
path, he would start in his chair and say, — 

Listen to this. Bob !” And he would read it to his 
dog, who would lift his head and prick up his ears, as 
though he comprehended it all, and would even, at times, 
rise and leap toward the door, and bark, as though he 
felt as impatient as his master at the long delay. Thus 
they made many a journey into the surrounding country 
together, and always with the same object in view. They 
were never separated ; and many an one whom they met 
would bow respectfully to the old man, and then turn to 
watch him after he had passed, trudging slowly onward 
with his cane, and Bob running before him, and then 
bounding back to him again. They knew his errand, 
for his sad story had become part of the history of the 
little town ; and when he passed they would say to their 
friends, — 


THE WRECKERS. 


129 


There he is! That’s the one I told jou of last 
night down at the club. Poor fellow ! He isn’t exactly 
right up here, you know,” tapping the forehead sug- 
gestively. Probably never get over it, you know. 
Thinks every day he’ll find his child. Been in the 
asylum once. They tell me he has to go occasionally 
even now.” 

One evening when Mr. Boston had come home, and 
was sitting with his wife at the table reading his paper, 
he looked up and said, — 

By the way, I saw Mike to-day. He’s greatly altered, 
and I don’t know when my heart has been made to ache 
more. It’s a fearful seed a man sows when he commits a 
selfish act ; and the worst of it is, the harvest has to be 
reaped by so many who are innocent. If Porta could 
see poor Mike Barney now, he’d either have to suffer a 
good deal of remorse or have a terribly hard heart to 
resist it.” 

Yes, if I had to be either one, I’d rather be Mike 
Barney than Porta,” answered Mrs. Boston. Do you 
remember what we read from Milton last night ?” she 
continued, picking up a copy of Comus” which lay on 
the table. 


“ ‘He that hides a dark soul and foul thoughts 
Benighted walks under the mid-day sun ; 

Himself is his own dungeon.’ 

I don’t believe it makes much real difference in the 
punishment a man receives whether ^murder will out’ 
or not ; it must be bad enough to have it in. The mem- 
ory of an unrepented crime must be an awful load to 
carry.” 


130 


THE WRECKERS. 


“ Yes, in the very nature of things, I don’t believe a 
man, intentionally bad, can be a happy man,” replied the 
other. I can’t conceive of a man’s securing any real 
happiness except through self-conquest; because what- 
ever else he may have, he must carry the consciousness 
in the midst of it all that he’s been whipped in the fight. 
It is he that overcometh that ^ inherits all things,’ in this 
world and in every world ; for it is one of the deepest 
laws of our moral constitution ; this old world is changed 
into the new heavens and the new earth only when we 
ourselves become new. And I fully agree with you ; I 
would rather ten thousand times be Barney with the 
memory of having been sinned against, than Porta with 
the memory of having sinned. That, moreover, is my 
idea of the difference between heaven and hell ; that it 
consists not so much in where a man is as in what he is. 
According to Peter, Christ visited the spirits in prison 
during those three days between his death and resurrec- 
tion; but there was no hell there for him, because there 
was no hell in him.” 

That’s my thought on the matter,” she answered. 

A man with his face set toward evil need not ask if he 
is going to hell ; he’s in hell just so long as hell is in 
him. That corresponds with Milton again, — 

“ ‘ Whicli way I turn is hell ; myself am hell.' 

But you were going to say something about Mike.” 

Yes, I was. I met him to-day, — ^liim and Hans. It 
is something wonderful, the love which seems to exist 
between those two. They were sitting under one of the 
oak-trees just as you come into town ; I thought Mike 


THE WRECKERS. 


131 


looked a little strange, and so I stopped and spoke to 
him. ^ It’s nothin’, Mr. Boston,’ he answered ; ^ it’s 
nothin’ ;’ but I noticed his eyes looked wild and his 
hands twitched as he grasped firmly hold of Hans. I 
remembered the various rumors I had heard about the 
necessity of his going out to the asylum occasionally, and 
as I saw I could do nothing, and my questions appeared 
to excite him, I drove on. Afterward I met Hans, 
however, and he told me in his broken English that they 
were on their way to the institution, and had sat down 
there to rest a little W’hile. My heart really went out to 
the poor fellow when I saw him choking back the sobs, 
especially when he apologized for it, and said it was be- 
cause he had to hold in so long when he was with Mike, 
lest it should arouse him ; and that he couldn’t bear the 
thought of leaving his friend in that stone cell, bound in 
a strait-jacket, and he nowhere near to help him. You 
know we’ve often laughed at his inability to wrestle with 
our idioms, but his poor roundabout way of expressing 
himself really seemed to add to the simple unconscious 
beauty of the man’s soul. To be sure, he stumbled over 
a verb or two, and went flying headlong after an adjec- 
tive, only to find himself engulfed in an adverb; his 
speech was twisted as ever; he wouldn’t be Hans Yol- 
gate if it wasn’t ; but I never felt more deeply impressed 
with the fact that, underneath all different garbs, human 
nature is the same the world over. And I think, not- 
withstanding the bad, there is a great deal of good 
in it.” 

Yes, there are a great many heads in the world,” she 
answered ; but there’s only one heart. A Dutchman is 
a Dutchman only in his brain, but not in his being ; in 


132 


THE WRECKERS. 


the way he thinks, not in the way he feels. And that is 
true of all men. I think if we come to analyze the tears 
of a Hottentot, theyhe just like ours ; made of the same 
water and salt. If I were a novelist, I think it would 
be my aim to emphasize this ; to enlarge people’s sympa- 
thies with the social classes to which they do not belong ; 
that they should not judge of them coldly, and therefore 
falsely, from the outside, but genuinely, from the inside. 
That the foot should not hate .the head, nor the head the 
foot ; but that when the foot was trodden on, the whole 
body should resent it.” 

Mr. Boston was proud of his wife, and he had reason 
to be ; for she was a woman of clear ideas. In how far 
this was due to his appreciative encouragement during 
their married life it would be perhaps impossible to say. 
This was true, however, that he did not belong to that 
company of Bantam men who endeavor to maintain their 
own importance in the barnyard by making it exceed- 
ingly uncomfortable for all the rest of the dwellers 
therein. He never sought to enlarge himself by belit- 
tling his wife. The gentleman did not say, ^^ Pooh, 
pooh !” with a majestic wave of his hand, as though, 
.while comprehending the whole matter himself, it was 
beneath his dignity to discuss it with the feminine gen- 
der. He waited respectfully till she had finished, and 
then replied, — 

I liked what our minister said about that the other 
evening. You were not out, and consequently missed it. 
He said, ^ I do not believe in rich churches ; and I do 
not believe in poor churches. I believe in the Lord’s 
churches, where the rich and the poor meet together, re- 
membering that the Lord is the maker of them all.’ I 


THE WRECKERS. 


133 


liked that. If men could only emphasize the things we 
human beings have in common, instead of dwelling al- 
ways upon the points in which we differ, all classes could 
understand one another so much better. The fact is, I 
think that if we could look into the heart of our worst 
enemy, we should see so much of pain and sorrow there 
that we would not only pity him, but love. HasnT| 
somebody said that ^ humanity is like the sea ; called by 
different names according to the shores against which it' 
washes, but the same sea, nevertheless’ ?” 

“Well, somebody ought to have said it, whether he 
did or not ; for certainly there’s nothing more thoroughly 
true.” 

“ And how much more we come to love a man,” con- 
tinued her husband, “ when we think of him not as a 
Dutchman, nor as an Englishman, nor an Irishman, 
nor an American man ; but only as a man. When we 
look at his soul instead of his soil, his life instead of his 
label.” 

When a year had gone by from the time of Mike’s re- 
lease the physician told him that, if he chose, he could 
without danger enter upon some regular occupation 
which should not tax in too great a degree his physi- 
cal or mental faculties. It was glad news to him, for 
to a healthy man the hardest work in life is to do 
none. Gentlemen of leisure are generally short-lived. 
They die of overwork ; they kill themselves in killing 
time. 

“ It koind o’ helps a man whin he can feel that he’s o’ 
use somewhere,” he would say to Hans. “ There’s lots 
got trouble besides me, but that’s mo reason why we 
shouldn’t be ready to lind a hand in the world’s work. 

12 


134 


THE WRECKERS. 


Sure I don’t want to be loike one o’ thim empty cans 
that I used to keep in the grocery simply to fill up the 
windee. If a man fills up the space in this world, he 
wants to have somethin’ inside of him which ’ll make 
the world schwater.” Besides that, he felt the need of 
working, as he said, For the sake o’ layin’ by for the 
choild, ye know.” 

Every day, at the close of his task, he would return 
to his chair in Hans’ little back room, to look over the 
papers in a fresh search for any possible clue. There 
were no more reports from the detectives’ bureau now. 
They had given up the search as hopeless, and Mike had 
taken their advice not to waste his money in securing in- 
formation which could be of no possible value to him. 
He was ever chiding himself that he had not looked into 
the daily paper on that eventful morning ; so that, as we 
all try to atone for some past duty unperformed by doub- 
ling our diligence when it can do no good, — multiplying 
our kind words over the dead, perhaps, because we know 
he starved for sympathy while he lived, — so the passion 
grew with Mike to study, far into the night, the columns 
of the papers which he received daily from the chief 
cities of the Union. 

One evening, about five years after the return of Porta, 
Hans came into the room, and found him trembling 
violently. 

I’ve got it. Plans ! I’ve got it !” he cried, lifting 
both hands, in one of which was a copy of a Chicago 
journal. The dog was already standing with his head 
erect, pricking up his ears and wagging his tail. 

^‘Listen to this,. Hans! Listen to this!” But his 
arms shook so violently as he spread the paper out be- 


THE WRECKERS. I35 

fore his eyes that the impatient German entreated him 
to let him take it and read it for himself. 

Read it aloud, thin/^ cried Mike, as he surrendered 
it to his friend, and bent forward eagerly that he might 
not miss a word. The other turned to the article, and 
read as follows : 

The Military Adventures of a Home Guard. — MiJcds 
Muscular Mate. — Some Spicy Scenes. — The Teiminat- 
ing Thump. 

The Bugle Colly a bright little paper which is pub- 
lished in Jenkinstown, Ohio, gives an amusing ac- 
count of a mystery in the life of one of its deceased 
citizens which has never been cleared up. A fire oc- 
curred last week in the village, and in trying to con- 
quer the flames two men lost their lives. One of these 
was quite a character in his w^ay, and several interesting 
reminiscences are referred to in illustration of his fatal 
genius for blundering. The most striking blunder of 
all, however, was one for which, so far as known, he was 
in no way responsible. It seems that at one time several 
years ago he belonged to the home guards in his adopted 
village, and the article explains the circumstances of his 
suddenly resigning his membership in that honorable 
body, which no inducement could ever persuade him to 
renew. 

The circumstances were these : one day a despatch 
arrived at his house, addressed to his name, Michael 
Barney, and calling upon him to come and take care of 
his child. It was dated from some village in the direction 
of Groveland, but precisely where we are not informed. 
When it arrived, Barney was away from home, and it 


136 


THE wreckers: 


fell into the hands of Mrs. Barney. So did Barney 
when he reached home; he fell into her hands too. 
From the account given, we judge that her political 
proclivities were on the side of protection. She believed, 
in fact, in monopoly ; and when she learned of the ex- 
istence of the other firm she became violently enraged. 
She did not stop to question the possibility of mistake, 
but concluded at once that in his connubial relations 
her husband had become a Free-Trader. We ought 
to have mentioned, furthermore, that for many years 
home rule had been one of her hobbies. At this mo- 
ment Barney returned, dressed in his span new soldier 
clothes. But by the end of five minutes he had passed 
through the Crimea, the war of 1776, and the French 
Revolution. In fact, long before the five minutes were 
up he felt like a veteran. During that period he had 

‘ Fought and died in freedom’s cause’ 

several times over. Laying aside all figure of speech, 
which might appear unseemly in reference to so serious 
an affair, she mopped the floor with him a number of 
times, after which she played ball with him for- a good , 
while ; he acting as the ball, and she as the pitcher and 
short stop. Then she let him ^ see London,’ by standing 
him on his head, and closed the performances by wring- 
ing the perspiration out of him and hanging him over 
the clothes-horse to dry. 

The most mysterious part of the whole affair yet ■ 
remains to be told. When they visited the town from 
which the despatch had come, they found a child ; but 
the woman who kept the hotel, and whose name- was 


THE WRECKERS. 


137 


signed to the message, knew nothing, or said she knew 
nothing, of its having been sent. A strange man, ac- 
cording to her story, had left the child there, and having 
telegraphed to Barney, and signed her name, had skipped 
the ranch for parts unknown. Of course we venture 
no opinion in reference to the truth of the woman’s 
statement. We are glad, for Mrs. Barney’s sake, that 
she was so easily convinced of the soundness of her 
husband’s views on the tariff question. We are not 
at all surprised, however, to learn that the amount of 
guying which the affair caused to fall upon the head 
of Mr. Barney, when the story of his gallant engage- 
ment became known, caused him to retire from the 
list of village braves. And with all due deference to 
the memory of the departed, and while sincerely ad- 
miring the Christian charity of the Bugle Call in drawing 
the mantle of brotherly kindness over the past history 
of its deceased subscriber, we must nevertheless send 
back to them the statement that to us, sitting as we do 
in ^he midst of hard-hearted Chicago, there is wafted 
oh the breeze to our olfactories the odor of a colored 
individual in the wood-pile.” 

When Hans had finished reading the article, Mike 
waited eagerly for an expression of his opinion. He 
could not exactly explain the reason of his assurance 
that Katie was identical with the child mentioned in the 
paragraph ; but he was just as sure of it as though he 
could. 

Michael,” exclaimed Hans, after a moment spent in 
going over the first part of the article again, speaking 
slower than usual and tapping the table with his knuckles 
12 * 


138 


THE WRECKERS. 


to give emphasis to each word, ^^dot vas your child. 
Dot vas her, mitout no mistake. You vill got dot child 
dis time, sure. Der is no more vat I don’t got to say 
about it. I am so sure like dot.” 

But I’d loike to know what he meant by sindin’ me 
the message away off there ?” 

It was not until after a wakeful night that they 
finally guessed the truth. The similarity of the name 
of the town with the one in which they resided finally 
led them to believe that Porta had intended to notify 
Mike, but the operator had sent it to the wrong place. 
This of course only served to intensify the anguish of 
suspense. They could scarcely wait for the train to 
start for New York, where he might make connections 
for the West. 

Hans found it impossible to leave, on account of other 
duties, but it was arranged that he should receive im- 
mediate information as soon as there was any to impart ; 
and that until then nothing should be said to any one 
concerning this new trail. They had so many times 
been almost as confident, and had so many times been 
grievously disappointed, that they had learned to keep 
their own counsel. If those at the station, however, 
when the train moved away, had chanced to be at all 
familiar with the previous history of Mike, they would 
have had little need of much Yankee ingenuity in order 
to guess the present state of affairs. Hans hopped about 
like Barnum’s fat boy at the sight of provisions. 

Good-by, mine friend,” he exclaimed, standing in 
the car next to the seat where Mike had taken his place, 
grasping his hand with both of his for a farewell shake, 
when the conductor had cried All aboard !” By 


THE WRECKERS. 


139 


chiminey, I never vas so happy in mine life before. 
Bring her back, Michael ! Bring her back, und I laugh 
me vild mit joyness.^’ 

Hans, who was standing in the aisle while uttering 
these words, had not noticed that the train was moving 
out of the station. He had just time to push his way 
through the crowd of passengers, followed by the curses 
of an Irish laborer whose pipe he had accidentally 
knocked out of his mouth, and the howl of a Jenkins- 
town alderman whose bunion he had ground beneath 
his heel, and jump off the car. The velocity which it 
had already attained caused him to fall prostrate; but 
with spirits undisturbed, he rolled quickly over, in time 
to catch a farewell look at Mike, and reaching for his 
hat, which had fallen off, waved it triumphantly. Then 
he arose and brushed the dust off as best he could, un- 
mindful alike of Ireland’s wrongs or the insult he had 
just heaped upon the American flag. With his thoughts 
fixed on Katie, and making all kinds of plans for her 
reception, it seemed to him as though he were the 
happiest man in all the world. 


140 


THE WRECKERS. 


CHAPTER IX. 

IN WHICH NUMBER ONE INTERVIEWS THE RELICT OF 
NUMBER TWO. 

When Mike arrived at the little village of Jen- 
kinstown it was late at night, so that any attempt to 
find Mrs. Barney at that hour was out of the question. 
Early the next morning he started in the direction of 
her house, which had been indicated to him by the pro- 
prietor of the hotel. It was the same house and the 
same woman which we saw on that day five years ago ; 
possibly a little stouter, but with the same determination 
to coddle any new sensation until she had either killed it 
by squeezing it too hard, or it had entirely outgrown her 
affectionate embrace. 

“ Does the Widee Barney live here asked Mike, as 
the dooT was opened in response to his knock. 

The Widee Barney’’ looked at him for a moment as 
though trying to determine the character in which he 
appeared. She thought at first that he might be some 
newly-engaged agent of the landlord in search of the 
rent. Then, as she saw his long beard and white hair, 
she fancied he was some representative of a Catholic 
benevolent asylum asking for alms. She concluded that, 
in either case, it would be the safest way to forestall the 
possibility of a request to open her pocket-book by im- 
pressing upon her visitor the impossibility of attending to 
anything but her grief. This had been her attitude ever 
since the sad decease of her partner. There was only 


THE WRECKERS. 


141 


one individual in the world for whom she was waiting 
that she might tender to him a different kind of a recep- 
tion,— that was the reporter of the Chicago Journaly a 
copy of which periodical had been sent to her by one 
of those considerate persons who always furnish their 
friends with an account of every exasperating thing 
which is said about them. 

The Widee Barney she cried, lifting her apron to 
her face, dwelling upon the words lugubriously, and 
using a falsetto tone which sounded like an iron door 
creaking on its hinges. Ah, yes, it is the Widee Barney, 
poor lone critter that she is, widout nobody to protect 
her no more. Little I thought the day would come 
whin I would be a widee. Ah, my poor Moike ! He 
was the bouldest boy in all Jenkinstown, so he was.’’ 

An’ was he the one spoken of in this here article ?” 
asked her visitor, producing the paper from his pocket. 
Mrs; Barney dropped her apron more quickly even than 
she had lifted it to her eyes, while her voice suddenly 
descended into her stomach : 

He the one spoken of in that ’ere article ? An’ what 
article is it ?” 

Mike handed her the paper ; a glance at the head-line 
was enough to satisfy her. Her eyebrows became more 
lowering, and if there had been a deeper stomach than 
the one she owned, her voice showed a manifest tendency 
to go down into it. This was certainly not the agent ; he 
was too polite. Neither was he a benevolent subscrip- 
tion collector ; he was not polite enough. He must be a 
reporter. 

If I could get hould o’ the one who spoke o’ him 
in that there article I’d put a rosebud on the end o’ his 


142 


THE WRECKERS. 


nose, so I would/’ She began to gesticulate with her 
fist, and Mike saw that she was getting excited. He 
was now trembling with eagerness to get at the main 
question concerning his child. So he tried to bring her 
back to the subject by repeating his query. 

An’ is this the Widee Barney?” 

“ An’ didn’t I tell ye it was the Widee Barney ? Do 
you Avant me to spake it through an ear-trumpet ? The 
idea o’ writin’ about a decent man that I ever played 
ball wid him, an’ thin hung him over the clothes-horse 
to dhry ! An’ thin callin’ him a nager ! Och, the blath- 
erskites ! Callin’ the decentest man that ever liA^ed a 
nager in a wood-poile ; an’ puttin’ it in that smooth spach 
loike that his poor widee never would ha’ knowed the 
meanin’ of it at all, at all, if Mrs. McGuinness hadn’t 
taken her hands out o’ her washin’ to come here an’ 
spind all the mornin’ a readin’ it to me.” 

During this speech her voice had been gradually 
climbing out of her stomach until it had reached the 
topmost notch in her head. 

I’d loike to spake wid ye,” said her caller. 

An’ what ha’ ye been doin’ but spakin’ Avid me ? 
What’s spakin’ but spakin’ ? Perhaps ye think ye been 
singin’ to me all this toime? An’ thin sayin’ that his 
widee got mad because she found there was another firm 
across the street ! I got mad at ’em because they charged 
me five cents for carrots whin I could go to any other 
sthore in the whole toAvn an’ buy ’em for four. An’ 
what if I did get mad at ’em ? What business is it to 
the people in Chicago ? Sure I’ll pull the whole hair 
out o’ their head if they ever lay a hand on my buoy 
agin. The idea of thim ever sayin’ that my buoy ever 


THE WRECKERS. 


143 


stuck a stick into the bung-hole o’ the molasses barrel 
an’ thin licked it off! The idea o’ thim sayin’ that, an’ 
here I been thrashin’ him almost every week ever since 
he was born.” 

^^Can ye tell me anything about that little guirl?” 
cried Mike at last in desperation. It started the woman 
on a new train of feeling. 

“ That little guirl ?” she answered, permitting her fist, 
which she had been swinging wildly, gradually to de- 
scend ; faith I think I can. Who are ye anyhow ? 
Are ye one o’ thim reporters from Chicago ?” 

No, I ain’t no reporter,” he replied. “ I’m a stran- 
ger in these parts, an’ live in the East. But I knew of 
a little guirl that was lost about five years ago, an’ I 
thought perhaps it moight be her. An’ I saw that ac- 
count in the paper, an’ so I made up my moind that I 
would just see if you could tell me where she is.” 

Mrs. Barney’s voice still remained in the top notch as 
she made response to this ; it still sounded like an iron 
door creaking on its hinges, but with a more cheerful 
creak as it were ; as though it were opening, not this 
time to let a prisoner in, but to let him out. 

Och, bless my soule I I thought you was one o’ 
thim reporters. Come roight in wid ye, an’ make yer- 
self to home. What did I mane by keepin’ ye standin’ 
there so long at the door ! Sit down wid ye, sit down I” 
So saying, she grasped her apron, which was accustomed 
to prove itself of practical utility in all departments, 
from that of a pocket-handkerchief to a wash-rag for 
little Mike, and dusted off a chair, to which she motioned 
her visitor. She was now as zealous in her hospitality 
toward the stranger as she formerly had been in her an- 


144 


THE WRECKERS. 


tagonism ; for a true Celt can never be deficient in dem- 
onstration. Even his fun must be of the Donnybrook 
order, and he cannot lay his friend under ground with- 
out having a clog-dance over his grave. During our 
rebellion they were the hardest troops to manage in the 
camp ; but they were among the most intrepid fighters 
in the battle. 

An’ where was it the despatch came from ?” asked 
Mike, still standing, but having advanced inside the door. 
He was twirling his hat nervously in his hand, trying 
as well as he could to conceal his impatience. He de- 
sired to find the name of the place, that he might hurry 
on by the first train. 

It come from the man who had her,” replied the 
woman. Bad cess to him ! Ah, but she was a schwate 
little thing ! I’ll niver forget to me dyin’ day how she 
crawled up on my lap an’ put her fat little arms around 
my neck. An’ would ye belave it,” she continued in a 
louder tone, as she saw Mike was about to interrupt her, 
the dear little duck said to me. Did I loike Mrs. Felix ? 
That was the woman that she was with. Ah, but she 
was an awful woman. I heard tell some fearful bad 
stories about her treatment of the choild. I did that ; 
an’ thim reporters sayin’ ” 

What was the name of the place where the choild 
was?” cried Mike, by this time almost beside himself 
with impatience. 

^^Oh, the name of the place where the choild was? 
That was Belleville. It’s only a few moile on the rail- 
road between here an’ Groveland. Ah, but that was a 
schwate choild ! An’ cunnin’ ?” lifting up her hands, 
throwing back her head, and looking sideways, as though 


THE WRECKERS. 


145 


somebody was trying to dispute her assertion. Ocli, 
cunnin’ was no name for it. She 

How did she look exclaimed the other, eagerly. 

Look ? Ah, she was an angel an’ no mistake. She 
looked just schwate enough to eat, so she did. But the 
woman ! Ah, ye ought to ha’ seen the face on that 
woman. She was a bad’n ; she was that, an’ no mis- 
take. Whin she saw me ” 

But how did this choild look ?” cried Mike, more 
earnestly than before. Whatywas the color of her hair 
and eyes ; an’ how tall was she ? Was she more than 
six years old ?” 

Well, I should say she was just about six year old. 
She had beautiful golden ringlets, an’ they came way 
down to her shoulders. And her laugh was that schwate 
that it sounded for all the world loike the bells in the 
staple in ould Limerick.” 

Did she say anything about her father an’ mother ?” 

She said the man she was with, an’ who left her all 
alone there in the midst o’ strangers, was her uncle, — bad 
cess to him, — an’ that her father was cornin’ for her pretty 
soon, but I’ve heard tell he niver came. They must ha’ 
been a bad lot. An’ that her mother was drounded in a 
big boat, an’ ” 

Mike could bear it no longer. Trembling with eager- 
ness at the thought that now, at last, he was, after so 
many disappointments, on the very eve of meeting his 
child, he asked only a few more questions in reference to 
the directions to be taken, and leaving the woman in the 
midst of a harangue, he hurried away, not even turning 
to answer when she, with her arms akimbo, shouted to him 
from the front step, What name moight she call him ?” 

Q k 13 


146 


THE WRECKERS. 


Before noon he had reached the little village of Belle- 
ville. It was winter, and just such a day as that on 
which Jane and the friendless little waif had taken their 
memorable walk through those very streets, which now, 
at last, the sorrow-stricken father trod himself. There 
was the white snow gathered on the trees ; and as he 
looked off toward the country road, the great drifts were 
covering the fences, just as they had seen it five years 
ago. He looked about him, and his heart beat violently 
as he thought to himself, — 

She^s walked these very streets, an’ she’s looked at 
these very houses an’ trees I’m lookin’ at now.” 

He wondered whether she would know him, and if 
she would be much changed herself. At last he could 
see not far from him the hotel. He did not need to ask 
the way to it, for the directions which he had received 
from the woman had been sufficiently explicit, and from 
her description he recognized it at once. And that was 
where his little Katie had been living all these desolate 
years ! He almost dreaded the shock of meeting her, 
now that the moment was so near. He halted for a 
minute on his cane, in order to collect himself. Then 
the vague hints he had received from the woman of his 
child having suffered caused him to forget all else ex- 
cept the thouglit that now he was to clasp her in his arms 
once more, and never be separated from her again. Im- 
patient of all delay, he hurried forward. At last he had 
reached the gate. Her fingers had opened it during these 
years ! The thought made him unconsciously clasp it more 
firmly, as though he could feel the pressure of her hand 
as he drew back the latch. He passed up the walk and 
felt a little dizzy as he lifted the heavy iron knocker. 


THE WRECKERS. 147 

Mrs. Felix in?’’ he asked, when the door was 

opened. 

Mrs. Felix don’t live here.” 

Where does she live ?” he exclaimed, almost fiercely. 

“I don’t know; she moved away almost two years 
ago.” 

An’ the choild ! Did she take the choild wid her ?” 

« What child?” 

He staggered back. True enough, how should they 
know? 

Oh, do you mean the child she used to beat ?” 

Yes, the choild !” he cried. The choild !” 

Oh, no, she didn’t take her with her. They left be- 
fore we came here, so I don’t know anything about it 
myself ; but I’ve heard the neighbors say she ran off one 
night, with a girl they used to have, called Jane. The 
girl was very kind-hearted and loved her, so she’d do 
anything for her ; and the child loved the girl ; but for 
some reason the woman seemed to have a hatred of it, 
and would strike it whenever she got a chance. But 
Jane used to stand up for it. The story is, that one day 
when the old woman thought Jane was away, she became 
very angry at the child, who had displeased her in some 
way, and so took her up-stairs, and, taking off her dress, 
began to beat her on her bare shoulders with a great 
strap. The girl came home unexpectedly, though, and 
hearing the cries, ran up, and in her rage just beat the 
old woman with a stick until she couldn’t move. Then 
she took the strap and just lashed her, as she’d been 
lashing the child, till she was all black and blue. That 
night she took Katie, — that was the child’s name, — and 
nobody knew where they went. Then when the story 


148 


THE WRECKERS. 


became known the neighbors began to inquire into things, 
so that it got too hot around here for Mrs. Felix, and she 
had to leave.’^ 

An^ don’t nobody know where this young woman is ?” 

Well, it’s two years ago since she left. It seems to 
me I did hear that she was in the city of Groveland ; but 
I’m pretty positive nobody knows anything more about 
her than that. Oh, yes ; I think I heard also that she 
was sick.” 

An’ the choild ?” 

Well, what became of the child I couldn’t say.” 


CHAPTER X. 

ALONE IN A STRANGE CITY. 

“ It’s a shame to lie to Arnold,” said the students at 
Rugby; ^^he always believes a fellow.” The man or 
woman who, in dealing with those under their control, 
‘^always believes a fellow,” has discovered one prime 
requisite toward giving to the world fellows” who are 
worth believing. The surest method of educating a child 
to become a rascal is to always suspect him of being one. 
Let him know that we expect him to be hung, or to be 
worthy of it, and ten to one he will do his best not to 
disappoint us. 

So that it was not strange that with the distrustful eye 
of Mrs. Felix ever fixed upon her, Katie, first led into 
falsehood by force of fear, should soon become confirmed 


THE WRECKERS. 


149 


in it by force of habit. In the moral, or, rather, im- 
moral atmosphere of such persons, it seems to a child at 
least a part of the divinely-appointed order of things to 
lie. True, Jane was ever cautioning her, in very solemn 
language, to adhere strictly to the truth, and all the more 
as she saw the tendency to depart from it. 

Don’t you never tell a whopper,” she would say, 
shaking her head solemnly, and enlarging her eyes until 
they looked like a couple of miniature port-holes in the 
side of a ship, with a diminutive Chinaman looking 
through each, — never, no, never, just so long as you 
live ! It’s awful.” 

As she usually took occasion to impart these valuable 
precepts at such times as they were strolling off into the 
country on Sunday afternoons, when the ole ’oman” be- 
lieved, or at least believed that she believed, that they 
were in the Sabbath- school (for that is as near to a posi- 
tive conviction as some folks can arrive at when consid- 
ering the merits of other people), and as these moral in- 
junctions were intermingled with sundry cautions as to 
the best manner of allaying all suspicion of their truant- 
ship on their return home, the crop which developed from 
this seed, so carefully planted, was not as prolific as might 
perhaps have been expected by the average parent or 
guardian. Gradually she became almost as much an 
adept in the art of deception as Jane herself ; only she 
never deceived Jane : Jane trusted her, why, then, should 
she deceive her ? 

As to the girl herself and her relations to her mistress, 
she soon relapsed, after the momentary self-assertion al- 
ready related, into her ordinary condition of grumbling 
obedience. She had become so accustomed to being bul- 
ls* 


150 


THE WRECKERS. 


lied that she even had felt a little uncomfortable, after 
the first excitement of her triumph had passed away, at 
the semi-respectful tones in which she had been addressed 
for a day or two by Mrs. Felix. That woman had come 
in a degree to respect her ; for she had learned to fear 
her, and there can be no respect where there is not a cer- 
tain measure of fear. But before very long the old 
relations were virtually re-established. Occasionally the 
girl’s eye would strike fire, and her voice assume a tone 
of defiance ; but this was never at her own wrongs. At 
such times Mrs. Felix would become instantly subdued, 
and would only remark, — 

Well, take the gell yourself, then, an’ see if you can 
make anything of her. For my part I never did see 
such a little hypocrite in all my born days.” Having 
thus covered her retreat, she would pass out of the room 
as quickly as possible. When she returned in an hour 
or two the tempest would be over, and the girl once more 
submissive to any amount of indignity. 

One of the saddest facts in connection with a crushed 
childhood, as Jane’s had been, is that the victim either 
rises against it in her indignation, and becomes for life a 
social rebel, like George Sand, or, where the crushing pro- 
cess is successful, goes limping like a cripple with a bent 
spine down to the grave. Who that is acquainted with 
human nature cannot recognize such a one as he passes him 
in the street ? How much better to bury a child than to 
“ break his will” ! Train it ; strengthen it ; show him how 
to guard it ; it will be the very trellis to his character ; and 
respect him, if you would have him respect himself. 

Of course there was a difference, to a very limited ex- 
tent, in Jane’s manner toward her mistress. The horse 


THE 


WRECKERS. 


151 


which has once succeeded in running away never can be 
brought into exactly the same condition of subjection as 
before, partly on account of the cowardice of the driver, 
and partly because of the newly-acquired sense of power 
in the beast. Mrs. Felix lived in constant expectancy 
that her filly would break the traces. But with rare 
exceptions there was little cause for apprehension ; her 
spirit had been too thoroughly broken years before. 

As the woman’s fear of Jane increased, so did her 
hatred of the child whom Jane so evidently loved. The 
very fact that she no longer dared to strike her, save on 
rare occasions when her protector chanced to be away, 
led her to invent a thousand petty methods by which to 
make her life unhappy. Many times Jane went without 
her supper that she might save the meagre dole which 
her mistress had apportioned to her, for the child, who 
had been sent, for some trifling offence, supperless to bed. 

Here, little one,” she would say, as she crept quietly 
into the garret room, where the child lay sobbing in the 
darkness, you shall have somethin’ to eat, so you shall ; 
an’ you won’t have to stay here alone very long, either. 
Jane ’ll play off sick to the old ’oman, an’ we’ll have a 
nice time snugglin’ up close together, an’ you shall go to 
sleep on Jane’s arm, an’ she’ll tell you a nice long story 
all about when she was a little gell, an’ how she used to 
get lickin’s an’ run away ; an’ how after a while she got 
so she found it didn’t do no good to run away, ’cause 
the cop ’d catch her an’ bring her back, an’ she’d only 
get a worse lickin’ than afore. An’ how after a good 
while she didn’t care, an’ let ’em lick an’ be blowed. 
It didn’t do her no good. But nobody shall wollop you, 
not when Jane’s around.” 


152 


THE WRECKERS. 


The child would cease her sobbing and become quite 
still while listening to this oft-repeated story. Jane was 
a genuine heroine in her eyes, and had led quite a life of 
adventure ; it seemed quite like a mark of distinction to 
have been arrested by a cop/’ though she shuddered as 
she thought of it. Thus almost three years passed away, 
until the crisis arrived to which reference has already 
been made. 

Jane’s aunt, the only living relative whom she knew, 
had died in Groveland, and she had gone away to attend 
the funeral, ex^ectin^^ be absent for several days. The 
hatred which had b^P dammed up for so long a time in 
Mrs. Felix’s breast ,^w burst its embankment, and poor 
Katie found herself helpless and friendless in the black 
and sweeping torrent. It might be supposed that Mr. 
Felix would have interfered, but he was away from 
home ; and ev^ if he had been in his accustomed place, 
sitting beside the stove in the bar-room, half stupid with 
drink, it is very doubtful whether he would have uttered 
any protest against whatever his spouse wanted to do. 
He had for too long a time been under hjer dominance to 
interfere with anything. 

The child, now nine years old, was compelled to rise 
and build the fires, sweep the rooms, and do whatever 
else |ier mistress ordered. The third day after Jane’s 
depmure, the woman commanded Katie to bring up- 
a pail of water. She went out to the well, and, 
having filled her pail, tried to carry it. She had not gone 
far before she set it down in very exhaustion ; her fin- 
gers were numb and her back ached. She looked help- 
lessly about her and began to cry ; she could not return 
with it, and she did not dare to return without it. A pile 


THE WRECKERS. 


153 


of wood was heaped up near where she stood, and an axe 
lay not far from it. Here was her opportunity ; if there 
was no pail she could bring no water. She grasped the 
axe, and, having emptied the bucket, broke it, with a few 
strokes, into many pieces. These she carefully hid, and 
going in to her mistress, told her that she could find noth- 
ing in which to bring the water. Now it happened that 
the woman had been watching her from the window when 
she started with the pail in her hand. She knew therefore 
that she uttered a falsehood, and told her so, seizing her 
at the same time by the shoulder, and with violent shak- 
ing threatening all kinds of disasters in case she did not 
immediately tell the truth. The child, who was becom- 
ing better drilled in the art of deception, remained for 
some time stout in her denials ; finally, after repeated 
blows from the woman, she admitted having misrepre- 
sented the facts, but declared that it had fallen to pieces 
in her hands as she was trying to bring in the water. 

Where are the pieces cried the woman. 

I donft know,’^ said the child, having made no pro- 
vision for meeting this question. Search was instituted, 
and at last they were found, where Katie had stowed 
them away. 

‘^Oh, you little lying hypocrite ! Just what Fve al- 
ways said of you. You broke it with that axe, did you ? 
I always knew how you’d turn out, an’ always said so 
too. But I’ll do my duty by you, anyhow.” 

The reader already knows the rest. The woman took 
the strap which had lain idle since the hour of Katie’s 
rescue by Jane, and having stri^j|d the child’s shoulders 
bare, began to expend her fqS iiid hatred upon her. 
Jane had felt a hesitation about^l^ing her charge at all. 


154 


THE WRECKERS. 


and had only decided to go after repeated injunctions to 
the child not to make the old ^oman madf ^ During 
her absence, however, her solicitude had increased to such 
a degree that she found herself compelled to return earlier 
than she had anticipated. The shrieks of Katie as she 
approached the house had caused her to lose all thought 
of consequences; and rushing into the room where the 
barbarity was being perpetrated, her muscular strength 
being increased by her fury, she snatched Katie from the 
grasp of her persecutor, and, having laid her on the bed, 
turned with the howl of a maniac on the woman. Mrs. 
Felix tried to escape ; but she might as well have tried 
to escape a decree of fate. Wrenching the strap from 
her hand, the girl, scarcely knowing what slie did, hurled 
her to the floor, and standing over her, her eyes on Are 
and her whole aspect like that of a person madly insane, 
beat her with the buckled end. It was in vain for the 
other to lift her scrawny Angers to try to avert the blows. 
Jane only ceased when, wearied with the efibrt, she could 
proceed no longer. The woman had fainted. She was 
a pitiable object as she lay there, covered with blood, her 
eyes shut and her arms extended on the floor. Jane did 
not notice her ; she did not even see her. She had been 
blind with rage, and now her attention was turned en- 
tirely toward the child. Taking her into the kitchen, 
she washed her bruises, and then carried her up to her 
bed, and after quickly undressing her laid her down to 
rest. 

By this time she thought of Mrs. Felix. She stood 
still and listened, but there was no sound of movement 
in the room below. Her heart beat violently, for the 
suspicion flashed across her mind that she had killed her. 


THE WRECKERS. 


155 


Hurrying down, she entered the apartment. It was in- 
deed a horrible sight which met her gaze ; the woman 
had not moved or become conscious, but her head was 
lying in a little pool of blood, which was soaking into 
her hair. 

Now the girl’s fury gave place to remorse and pity, as 
no response was returned to the eager words by which 
she sought to arouse her. Quickly she brought some 
water and began to wipe away the blood. Lifting the 
stained head with its matted hair into her lap, she bathed 
the forehead, and looked anxiously for some signs of 
consciousness. At last the eyes opened languidly, and 
fixed themselves with a listless, dreamy expression on 
Jane’s face. 

Can I do anything for you ?” asked the girl, tenderly, 
as she bent over her. 

The question seemed to arouse the woman, and she 
whispered, Water ! Bring me water.” 

Jane pressed some water to her lips, and gradually she 
revived enough to enable the girl to assist her to bed. 
It was a trying hour ; her fears magnified every symp- 
tom of danger, and as she sat by the bedside of her 
patient, the darkness slowly deepening about her, her 
imagination portrayed all the evils which might result. 
Whenever the woman groaned, the girl would start in 
terror, and if for a time she lay quietly in a half doze, 
her heart would beat even more violently, lest she might 
be slipping away into the sleep of death. The awful 
thought possessed her : what if she were a murderess ! 
At every creaking of the door she fancied it might be 
the sound of approaching footsteps to arrest her. Once 
or twice she stepped to the window to look out, and 


156 


THE WRECKERS. 


when she saw no one, she felt for the time reassured. 
Then she crept noiselessly down the stairs and pushed 
all the bolts and fastened the windows. When she came 
back the woman was breathing heavily, and she slammed 
the door to see whether it would awaken her ; and when 
it did, and she half turned on her side and groaned 
again, she fancied she could hear it followed by the 
death-rattle in her throat. She lit the lamp and bent 
anxiously over the unconscious form. An ugly scar 
marked the temple, which lay exposed to view by the 
woman’s having turned her head. Jane took up the 
strap and examined the buckle; it was very much 
heavier than she had supposed. What if Mrs. Felix 
should die, and she should be hung, and Katie be left 
with no protectress in all the world ! As the hours 
j)assed by, the horrible thought grew upon her. What 
should she do ? Summon aid and go for the doctor ? 
But then everything would become known. Finally the 
suspense became so great that she could bear it no longer ; 
she determined what she would do. 

The gray dawn of the morning was just beginning to 
break as she passed noiselessly up the stairs and knelt by 
the side of the slumbering child. She had examined her 
before to discover the extent of her injuries, and had be- 
come convinced that they were only slight, as she had 
fortunately arrived when the first few blows were being 
given; but she now examined her wounds again and 
more carefully. 

I think she can bear it ; an’ if she can, anything ’ll 
be better’n this,” she whispered. 

The child slept on, unawakened by the girl’s tender 
touch. Jane busied herself with packing her things 


THE WRECKERS. 


157 


and those of Katie away in the long box which served 
her for a trank. Then leaving her undisturbed, she 
descended to the kitchen, and hastily prepared as hearty 
a meal as she could with the provisions at hand, inter- 
rupting herself in her work only to step to the side of 
Mrs. Felix occasionally to minister to her wants. When 
all was finished, she hastened out to secure the services 
of a neighboring farmer to carry her trunk to the station. 
Then she wrote a note to a young woman living in the 
village, telling her the circumstances of her mistress’s 
sickness, and informing her of her intention of leaving 
the place. “ She won’t blow on me,” she muttered, as 
she placed the note in an envelope and directed it. 

She’ll be here to take care o’ the poor old ’oman ; 
an’ if she dies,” and her heart beat violently at the 
thought, “ why, she won’t bone on me. She’ll put the 
cops off the track.” 

She folded up another note to the jdiysician, simply 
telling him that Mrs. Felix was seriously ill, and request- 
ing him to visit her immediately. These she placed in 
the post-office ; for she knew the mail would be distributed 
immediately after the departure of the j:rain which should 
bear her and Katie away. To the citizens of Belleville 
it was as it is to the citizens of every small village ; the 
event of the day was the distribution of the mail. People 
whose creaking boots would every Sunday announce their 
late arrival at the village church would be on hand each 
work-day morning, very early, to see the leather bag 
brought in, and join the crowd of young and old who 
pressed about the little window when the slide went up 
and the letters were distributed. 

Having made these preparations, she awoke Katie 
14 


158 


THE WRECKERS. 


and dressed her hurriedly in the best clothes she had. 
There was a certain mystery connected with Jane’s 
movements which aroused the curiosity of the child, 
but when Jane bade her not to ask any questions and 
to be very quiet, she obeyed at once. 

Here,” she said, tenderly, as she placed some water 
by the side of Mrs. Felix, after that person had moder- 
ately partaken of the toast and tea which she had pre- 
pared, I didn’t sleep much last night, an’ so I’ll call 
the doctor an’ Betsy Gamin to w^ait on you while I take 
a rest. I’ll just step out, an’ they’ll be here afore very 
long. Good-by.” 

She passed out of the room, then turned for a moment 
to look back. She came once more and stood by the 
bedside. She had little to remember which was pleasant 
of the woman she was about to leave forever ; the years 
in that home had been hard, bitter years of unrequited 
toil ; and yet there had been times during those weary 
months when the woman in Mrs. Felix’s nature had 
awakened from slumber, and for a moment had spoken 
tender words and performed gentle deeds before relaxing 
into sleep again. Few hearts are so hard but that, under 
the inspiration of a divine touch, water may gush from 
the rock, even in the wilderness. True, these times had 
been very rare : once when Jane was sick, and once again 
when she herself was sick ; but nevertheless they had 
been. And filled with remorse for what she had done, 
and with a dumb dull ache at thus leaving the scenes 
with which she had become familiar, the girl looked 
with tear-dimmed eyes on that old pinched face, and 
before she turned away lifted the hand to her lips and 
kissed it. 


THE WRECKERS. 


159 


The child did not ask to see the woman, and Jane 
did not suggest it. Sadly they passed out of the door, 
scarce knowing whither they went, only knowing they 
were leaving behind them days of sorrow and darkness, 
the memory of which could never be effaced. They 
and the woman who might have filled their existence 
with gladness were now separating forever. She had 
left her mark upon them, as we are leaving ours upon 
those who touch our garments every day. It might 
have been a star of glory ; alas, it was a scar of shame. 
But whatever it was, it was there ; and neither she nor 
God, in this life surely, could change it now. 

The old gate seemed to speak to them and say good- 
by, as it rattled after them when they passed through. 
The trees seemed to bend their branches as though in 
farewell salutation ; and as Jane looked back when the 
train was gliding out of the station, it was with a pang 
that she realized she should never see those streets again. 

Where are we going ?’^ Katie ventured to ask, look- 
ing up into her face. It was an unexpected question; 
she had scarcely stopped to ask herself that. But it 
drew her attention away from the past, and set her busily 
at work in planning for the future. She summoned all 
the courage which she could, and answered, — 

“ We’re goin’ to live by ourselves, darliff ; an’ you 
shan’t hear no more cross words an’ get no more lickin’s. 
An’ you won’t have to build no more fires nor bring no 
more pails o’ water ; but Jane ’ll do all the work. An’ 
you shall go to school an’ learn all them things in the 
books, an’ grow up to be a lady.” The child clapped 
her hands, and the old-womanish look of care disappeared 
from her young face as she cried, — 


160 


THE WRECKERS. 


Jane, is that true? And won’t we never have 
to go back to Mrs. Felix’s, and are we going to live to- 
gether always and always ?” 

Yes, little one ; always an’ always.” 

The whole bearing of the child was changed. Many 
a time, when she had gone sobbing with her sorrows to 
her only friend, had the story of those wondrous times 
which should be in the dim future caused her to forget 
her grief, and to fall into happy dreams, sitting in Jane’s 
lap with her head resting on her shoulder. Now it was 
all to be realized ! Pauline never saw brighter visions 
under the spell of Claude Melnotte’s words than she had 
when listening to the soothing utterances of her Claude, 
— Jane. 

When they reached the city, they had a little money 
which the girl had saved from the expenses of her former 
trip. They did not waste much time in looking about 
them, but with that self-reliance which is likely to char- 
acterize people who from early childhood have been 
thrown on their own resources, she soon had procured a 
room for a moderate sum, and, leaving Katie asleep, had 
gone forth looking for work. 

She did not find it the first day, nor the second, but 
she kept her disappointment to herself ; and when the 
child, as they sat at their supper, asked her why she did 
not take some of the good things she had brought home, 
she only answered with a smile that she was not hungry, 
and kept on eating her bread with the smallest amount 
of butter, leaving untouched the tempting buns and her- 
rings, lest there should not be enough for both. 

If you were alone, we could easily find you a situa- 
tion,” people said to her to whom she applied and stated 


THE WRECKERS. 


161 


her case. From every such suggestion she simply turned 
away without a sigh. The one bright spot in her life 
was this little child whom she had learned to love ; her 
chief joy, the joy of sacrificing for her. Once or twice 
otlier suggestions were made to her, which made her cheek 
burn and her eyes flash ; but she only hastened away 
without saying a word, lest she might say too much. Late 
in the afternoon of the third day she found some work. 

Have you a machine they asked. 

“ Then the only thing we can give you is hand-made 
button-holes for shirts. We pay three cents a dozen for 
them.^’ 

« Yery well,’^ she answered. So she took them home, 
and sat up late into the night, that she might if possible 
earn enough to pay for the meals for the next day. 
When at last she laid down her work and went to bed, 
she found she had made forty-eight, by which she earned 
twelve cents. 

After a few such days of starving toil, she found that 
she could never earn enough in this way to feed them 
both. So, at the suggestion of her employers, she de- 
termined to purchase a machine, on the condition that 
she should pay a certain amount each month until the 
debt was liquidated. She hoped that this might help 
her, for though she had worked regularly ten hours a 
day, she had found it very hard to provide even the few 
bare necessities which they required. 

She felt quite rich now, and cheerful as she sat singing 
at her sewing in her little room. She was making winter 
overcoats, and for each one received thirty-five cents; 
not a very large sum, but by working ten hours a day, 
I 14 * 


162 


THE WRECKERS. 


and sometimes twelve, she succeeded in not only supply- 
ing food, but some pretty little garments for Katie, that 
she might be able to go to school. Thus the child was 
very happy, and that made Jane happy. When Katie’s 
birthday came, she was able to buy her a bird ; a real 
live canary. True, the cage was a very simple one, only 
the square wooden little prison in which Dickey had 
been imported ; but his notes were just as sweet as though 
they had rippled forth from between gilded bars. One 
Sunday, shortly after they had come to the city, the bells 
were ringing for morning worship. 

What church is that ?” asked Katie. 

I don’t know. I guess it’s Episcopalian or Meth- 
odist.” Jane looked at the child as she said this, and 
continued, as though a new thought had entered her 
mind : Katie, you ought to go to Sunday-school. Don’t 
you want to go to Sunday-school ?” 

No,” said the little one, stoutly, I don’t.” 

But the folks there ain’t all like Mrs. Felix,” per- 
sisted Jane, beginning to feel her responsibility for the 
moral training of her charge. There are some awful 
nice people in them Sunday-schools, I guess.” 

Finally they resolved that they would attend the ser- 
vice at the church ; and when the invitation was given 
for strangers to remain to the session of the school, which 
was immediately to follow, Jane whispered, — 

You stay, darlin’ ; I’ll go home an’ get ready the 
dinner.” 

But Katie absolutely refused to remain alone ; so Jane, 
notwithstanding her old dress, which was the real reason 
why she had hesitated, stayed with her, and they went 
into the school together. 


THE WRECKERS. 


163 


Katie felt that she never had seen such a beautiful 
woman as the one who taught the class that day. Her 
voice was very musical and low, and when she looked at 
her, she thought of the angel she had seen in her dream 
long ago ; only that was a child^s face, and this was a 
woman’s. 

And who is this little girl ?” asked the lady, smiling, 
and stooping to kiss her rosy lips. 

Her name is Katie,” answered Jane ; and then in- 
distinctly recalling the name of Signor Porta, who had 
brought her to Belleville, she added, Katie Porter. 
I’m — I’m — I’m her nurse-girl.” She wanted to say 
sister,” but as she looked down at her old clothes she 
thought, Ko, I won’t disgrace her.” 

Never a mother looked with more genuine pride on 
her child than this untaught girl, whom everybody had 
once called hard, whose higher faculties had all lain 
dormant until awakened by the magic touch of love, 
now looked on Katie as she stood in her rosy, happy 
childhood, dressed in her pretty frock. 

The next Sabbath the child needed no urging to go 
alone. It was the happiest anticipation which she had, — 
the prospect of meeting Mrs. Bussell. Thus every 
Sunday, when it came, found her in her place, with her 
Bible in her hand which Jane had bought her. 

It was wonderful, the change which was wrought in 
a few months in her face and manner. Once more there 
was the free, merry laugh; the careworn, frightened 
expression, which had fast been growing fixed, gradually 
faded away, and in its stead there shone again the merry 
twinkle of unrepressed childhood. Sometimes their 
meals were very scant, and they were compelled to prac- 


164 


THE WRECKERS. 


tise many devices by which they sought to make one 
penny serve the purpose of two ; they liad very few of 
what most people feel to be the requisites of happiness ; 
1 but it is surprising how much joy can be gotten out of 
I a little where there dwells a holy love and pure intent. 
DaniePs den of lions becomes a palace because of the 
presence of the Unseen ; while because of that same 
presence, the palace of the conscience-burdened king 
becomes a den. The same voice whispers Peace to one, 
which to the other mutters War ! A mighty truth worth 
thinking of ; that God is love,’’ and God is a con- 
suming fire” ; but not because He changes. It is we who 
change ; and according to the relation which we bear to 
Him, He is one of these to us. If I permit the roots 
of my infant orchard to be planted in the earth, and 
their branches to reach out toward the sun, the sun is 
love. If I invert nature, and, rooting up my trees, 
seek to make them grow toward the earth and away 
from the sun, they wither in a day ; the very sun be- 
comes a consuming fire. Not what thou art, O God ; 
but what I am ! Thou wilt be on my side, if I am on 
thine ! 

Thus two years passed away. Katie’s fairy dreams 
were being realized. Jane’s promise was being fulfilled 
which she had made : We’re goin’ to live by ourselves, 
darlin’ ; an’ you shan’t hear no more cross words an’ get 
no more lickin’s. An’ you won’t have to build no 
more fires nor bring no more pails o’ water ; but Jane 
’ll do all the work. An’ you shall go to school an’ 
learn all them things in the books, an’ grow up to be a 
lady.” 

The child, to whom the memory of those years with 


THE WRECKERS. 


165 


Mrs. Felix was a constant nightmare, appreciated her 
opportunities more than she otherwise could have done ; 
and having inherited the bright intellect of her mother 
with the sterling qualities of her father, her progress in 
her classes was rapid, and by the time of which we 
speak she was running an even race with those of hfer 
own age in the way of mental development. Her love 
for Jane, and the silent influence of Mrs. Russell, had 
called forth again the sweet trustfulness of her disposi- 
tion, which had been fast becoming snowed under be- 
neath the chilling influences of her former life. Little 
by little they had been able to purchase some adornments 
for the room ; first a carpet, then a lounge, then, after 
several months, with the closest economy, some cheap 
lace curtains and a few pictures. 

I don’t care much for them kind o’ things myself, 
’cause I never been used to ’em ; but Katie ’ll never be 
a lady unless she has ’em.” Thus Jane would mutter 
to herself, according to her old fashion, when the weari- 
ness of the extra hours was more severe than usual. 

The window was so situated that the sun shone in in 
the morning; and often, when the child would be awak- 
ened by the chattering of the S2)arrows outside and the 
answering notes of Dickey within, while hopping upon 
his perch, she would lie and think of the difference be- 
tween her past life and her present. And then it would 
seem that there never had been any one so happy in all 
the world before. And she would look out over the 
housetops, through the prettily draped window, and 
wonder whether the heaven which Mrs. Russell told 
about could be any more beautiful than that little room, 
with the sunlight, and the curtains, and the bright 


166 


THE WRECKERS. 


carpet, and the bird, and, more than all besides, with 
Jane. 

The patient girl, as she bent over the machine, grew 
into the habit of listening for the child’s tripping foot- 
step in the hallway on her return from school, and her 
cheery musical voice when she opened the door. 

A day came at last, however, when Katie was more 
quiet than usual as she sat rocking, after school, in the 
little chair which Jane had bought for her. She held 
the cage on her lap, and appeared for a time to be lis- 
tening to the singing of the bird. The girl sat opposite 
to her and, busy with her sewing, did not for a long 
time look up from the machine; when she did, she 
noticed the child’s eyes fixed intently on her. 

What’s the matter, darlin’ ?” she asked, stopping her 
work. 

^‘Nothing,” replied the other, looking down at the 
bird. 

You feel happy, don’t you ?” 

Oh, yes, very happy ; I could be happy anywhere 
with you, Jane.” She laid down the cage, and came and 
stood with her arm about the girl’s neck. Presently 
she added, looking up into her face, I never saw you 
look so white before. It must be very hard for you to 
work so long ; when I wake up in the morning you’re 
sewing, and when I go to bed at night you’re sewing just 
the same. You don’t look as you used to. God w'ouldn’t % 
let you get sick and die and leave me all alone, would 
He, Jane?” 

Alas, the awful suspicion which she had been seeking 
to hide even from herself could be no longer bidden 
down. At last even the child had come to notice the 


THE WRECKERS. 


167 


hollow cheeks and the sunken eyes. With a passionate, 
despairing love, she flung her arms about the neck of 
her idol and burst into tears. 

No, darlin’,” she tried to say, God will not sepa- 
rate us ; He cannot ; He is too good.’^ But a paroxysm 
of coughing prevented her speech, so that she could not 
finish the sentence. 


CHAPTER XL 

INTRODUCING TWO PEOPLE WHOSE HOME IS VERY NEAR 

heaven: up on the top floor op a tenement. 

In the next room to theirs there lived a little doubled- 
up cobbler, who had been for so many years bending 
over his work that even when he walked he carried the 
sign of his occupation with him. With his crooked back 
and round shoulders, and his shambling legs, he looked 
like a good-sized interrogation-point, only that he had 
limbs where the dot should have been. He was a very 
kind old man, and very industrious. He had the queer- 
est-looking little woman for a wife. She was shaped 
very much like himself, only on a smaller scale. Crooked 
and bent as he was, with slightly finer features, she ap- 
peared somewhat like a second edition, revised and im- 
proved. They were one in heart, and while they did not 
appear to have many friends or seem to care for many, 
so completely were they bound up in one another, they 
were very kind towards those of their neighbors who were 


168 


THE WRECKERS. 


sick or in any sort of trouble. They were very poor, 
and only had two rooms, one of which served as a bed- 
room, and the other as a kitchen and dining-room and 
sitting-room and shop all combined. 

Still, she generally found enough to keep her busy, 
and so was very happy as she went bustling about her 
work all day long. From morning till night, except the 
half-hour which he allowed for lunch, the occasional 
sound of his little hammer could be distinctly heard. 
Sometimes he varied the music with a song in a broken 
tone, yet very cheery. His repertoire was not very 
large, but it made little difference. Sometimes it would 
be the half-forgotten snatches of an old love-ditty, such 
as Peggy and he were accustomed to sing together long, 
long ago, before trouble had drawn any wrinkles in their 
foreheads or age had cracked their voices. One especi- 
ally which he loved to croon over to himself (looking up 
occasionally at the bent form, which, withered though it 
was, seemed still the perfection of womanly beauty to 
him) was one which he had once found in the corner of 
a newspaper and committed to memory : 

/ 

Oh, lay thy hand in mine, dear ! 

We’re growing old ; 

But Time hath brought no sign, dear, 

That hearts grow cold. 

’Tis long, long since our new love 
Made life divine ; 

But age enricheth true love 
Like noble wine. 

“ Oh, lean thy life on mine, dearl 
’Twill shelter thee. 

Thou wert a winsome vine, dear, 

On my young tree : 


THE WRECKERS. 


169 


And so, till boughs are leafless 
And song-birds flown, 

We’ll twine, then lay us, griefless, 

Together down.” 

At other times he would hum over a portion of an 
evening hymn, keeping time with his little hammer 
meanwhile ; and early in the morning or late at night 
Jane and Katie could hear him through the thin parti- 
tion singing with the same monotonous cadence, — 

“ Now the day is over. 

Night is drawing nigh, 

Shadows of the evening 
Steal across the sky. 

“ Jesus, give the weary 
Calm and sweet repose ; 

With thy tenderest blessing 
May our eyelids close.” 

These people were very kind to the two friendless 
girls. They did not have much to give them except 
sympathy, and occasionally some soup, or rice, or toasted 
bread. But such as it was they gave it to them gladly, 
and many times, when Jane had been too sick to sew 
and the money was all spent, the simple fare which they 
divided with them was like the angeks food which came 
to Elijah in the wilderness, just ready to die. They did 
not see very much of the old man ; he was not comfort- 
able in society,’’ and always felt abashed in the pres- 
ence of ^Svomen folks,” all except Peggy. He often 
wondered how it was that he had ever mustered courage 
to propose to her, and with a quiet smile would assure 
her that he never could have done it at all if she had not 


170 


THE WRECKERS. 


come more than half-way. He was so very busy, more- 
over, that he had little time to call on his neighbors ; 
but she went in more and more frequently as Jane’s 
sickness became more serious. And through his sing- 
ing, and the industrious tap, tap, tap, which fell upon 
their ears at intervals all day long, they came to know 
him, and to feel toward him quite like an old friend, 
though they had never seen him but once, and then he 
was so embarrassed that he did not look up, but simply 
kept his eyes fixed on his work, while, instead of visit- 
ing, he caused his little hammer to sound more industri- 
ously than ever, tap, tap, tap, tap, — tap, tap, tap, tap. 

The shadows had begun to deepen about these two 
friendless girls. Jane’s cough had become worse, and 
she knew she was not so strong as she had been. The 
hours in which she could work were fewer, and the 
wages, which had never been large, were smaller than 
ever now. 

Added to this there came another trouble. Her ma- 
chine had almost been paid for; thus far she had not 
been a day behind in her instalments, and only three 
dollars more remained against her account, and then it 
would be hers. The price was fifty-five dollars, and she 
had paid fifty-two. But when she went to offer them 
the last instalment they refused to take it, because it was 
six days too late. She could not help crying when they 
spoke harshly to her and pretended to be very angry, 
accusing her of trying to cheat them. It filled her with 
terror, the thought of losing, now in her sickness, her 
only hope of support for herself and Katie. All that 
she had paid thus far they had received under the name 
of rent,” in order that they might profit by any failure 


THE WRECKERS. 


171 


to meet her payments punctually. She knew in a vague 
way that it was not right, but when she continued to 
plead with them they only shook in her face the lease/^ 
which she had signed at their bidding, and told her they 
were not a charitable organization, formed for the benefit 
of those who did not pay their debts when due. There 
was the writing ; she herself had signed it ; she had 
broken the agreement, and they should take the machine. 
She would still have lingered, but they drove her off, 
telling her that their shop was no place for women to 
stand around in and blubber; they paid their rent 
promptly, and they proposed to use their premises for 
other purposes.^^ 

She cried all the way home ; she could not help it. 
Fortunately, it was a dark night and very stormy, so 
that people had no time nor inclination to scan this 
young woman, sobbing under her breath along the 
streets, and they could not have seen her tears if they 
had. 

She had a bad spell of coughing when she reached 
home, and this brought to her side Peggy from the next 
room. She needed a friend ; our troubles seldom seem 
so great when we can tell them to some one else. It is 
the sorrow we must stifle which breaks our heart. Katie 
was asleep, so the poor girl was able to unburden her 
anguish. Peggy of course was very indignant, and 
went hobbling in to tell the story to old Sandy, who was 
just then singing to himself, — 

“ No chilling winds, or poisonous breath, 

Can reach that healthful shore ; 

Sickness and sorrow, pain and death, 

Are felt and feared no more. 


172 


THE WRECKERS. 


“ When shall I reach that happy place, 

And he forever hlest ? 

When shall I see my Father’s face, 

And in His bosom rest?” 

Jane noticed that the steady tapping of the little 
hammer ceased, and the old man stopped his singing in 
the middle of the last line. Not that she intentionally 
listened, but she heard these sounds, and marked their 
cessation, just as we all of us, in any hopeless despair, 
are unconsciously attracted by little things taking place 
about us. She heard Peggy repeating the story in 
earnest tones. Then there was a conversation in a 
lower voice which she could not hear. Soon the old 
man was heard rising from his seat and shuffling across 
the floor. She caught the rattling sound of the ill- 
fltting bureau-drawer which was being opened. 

Presently Peggy came in with her wrinkled old face 
full of smiles, and said she need not worry ; Sandy had 
thought of a way out of their trouble. They had five 
dollars laid by, which they should not need for a long 
time, and if Jane would let them they would like to lend 
her the money, and she should offer it in addition to the 
sum which was due. That certainly would make all 
amends for the delay. Peggy never intended to receive 
it back again ; that pretence was only a little artifice to 
induce the girl to accept it ; neither did she tell of how 
the money had been gathered together and laid away, 
almost penny by penny, in order that Sandy might be 
able to purchase a new set of tools, of which he was 
beginning sorely to feel the need. So Jane accepted it, 
after considerable hesitation, and, kissing Peggy good- 
night, went to bed, anxiously questioning within herself 


THE WRECKERS. 


173 


what the next day might bring forth. The tapping of 
the hammer was again heard in the next room, and as 
she was sinking away into slumber the old man’s voice 
lulled her to sleep, while he continued his singing, — 

“ Pilled with delight, my raptured soul 
Can here no longer stay ; 

Though Jordan’s waves around me roll, 

Fearless I’d launch away.” 

The next morning when the men came, and she saw 
the wagon stop at the door, her heart beat rapidly, for 
the little hope which she had been able to summon on 
the previous evening seemed suddenly to forsake her 
now. 

This is the room,” they said, when they had reached 
the landing outside her door. Her heart beat more 
rapidly than before as she received them. 

Three men entered, and the same voice said, That’s 
it over there, boys. Sorry to trouble you, young woman, 
but business is business.” And he bowed very low. 

Her hopes sank lower than ever now ; that glossy, 
unctuous tone indicated no mercy in the metallic heart 
which lay behind it. The owner was gaudily dressed 
in a suit of large plaid, and wore a red necktie. He 
looked as though in his circle he might be quite a beau. 
He wore his hat jauntily on the side of his head, and 
held the stump of a cigar in his mouth, oblivious appar- 
ently to the propriety of removing either. While mak- 
ing his remarks he kept on smoking with an assumed 
air of nonchalance. His coarse black hair was thick 
with pomatum, his countenance tawny, and he possessed 
of that oleaginous appearance which is so characteristic 
15 * 


174 


THE WRECKERS. 


of the fop in low life. He was the member of the firm 
who sold the machines, having been selected for that 
office on account of his supposed grace and winning 
manners. 

When Jane offered him the extra amount of money 
he bowed very low again, and assured her that he was 
very sorry that he could not take it, but business was 
business. With a pleading voice she reminded him of 
his promises at the time of the purchase, that in case she 
should find h difficult to make the payments promptly, 
the firm would be very willing to wait a few days. But 
with still another very low bow he stated that he had no 
recollection of having made such a promise ; and that if 
he had, he had no authority to do so, because everything 
in such cases had to be decided by the written docu- 
ments ; and here were the papers which she herself had 
signed. So far as he was concerned, he would be willing 
to do anything he could to help her, but there were 
others besides himself in the firm, and he was sure they 
would not consent, because, as she knew, business was 
business.’^ 

She might have told him of how hard she had worked, 
and of her many self-denials in order to meet the pay- 
ments she had made ; but she did not, and it would have 
done no good if she had. Men like those with whom 
she dealt, who feast upon the necessities of the poor, — 
such men as are living and doing this very thing, by one 
plan or another, in every large city to-day, — do not care 
for one or two broken hearts more or less. Business is 
business, you know. 

So they took away her machine, and she went back to 
sewing button-holes in shirts for three cents a dozen. 


THE WRECKERS. 


175 


She tried hard to summon her ambition once more, but 
from that time hope began to fade. It was seldom she 
smiled now, except in a forced way, and for Katie’s sake. 
Work as she would, the fingers, which , had never been 
very nimble, could not earn enough to pay the rent and 
meet their modest wants. At last she became so ill that 
she could sit up no longer, so she would have them prop 
her up with pillows in her bed, and thus she tried to per- 
form her task. One day she had a coughing spell more 
severe than before, and this was followed by a hemor- 
rhage. It left her very weak and pale, and then it became 
evident that she could not work any more. 

She lay awake all night crying and thinking of Katie ; 
but the next day the child seemed so hopeful and con- 
tented that Jane found their positions reversed, and 
instead of feeling the necessity of imparting courage, 
she found herself resting upon the courage and strength 
of her little attendant ; and as the days passed by, the 
self-reliance and wisdom of the child grew upon her. 
It was several weeks since Katie had left school, but, 
though it was a terrible disappointment, she tried never 
to let Jane know it. She was only eleven years of age 
now, but she seemed much older than that; there is 
I nothing which matures a child so rapidly as trouble. 
She had even gone out looking for work, but no one 
wanted any help ; times were very slack, they said, and 
they had all the hands they needed. Notwithstanding 
this, her courage did not fail her. 

‘^No matter, Jane,’^ she would say when, one after 
another, the things which they had purchased with so 
much pride and pleasure disappeared under the three 
golden balls of the pawnbroker’s shop, — no matter ; my 


176 


THE WRECKERS, 


teacher says that God is yqyj good, and that He will take 
care of everybody who tries to love Him ; and we’re 
trying real hard, aren’t we, Jane?” 

“Yes, darlin’,” the girl would answer, in a weak 
voice. She did feel it a great deal, however, when she 
had to part with Dickey. It was not until almost all 
the other things had gone that she could bring herself to 
think of this. She had had him almost two years, and 
he was a birthday gift. Every morning she had fed him, 
and had spent many a happy hour after school playing 
with him and listening to his song. He had become very 
tame ; would alight upon her shoulder and eat out of her 
hand. You who have almost every wish gratified do 
not know how precious such things become to the poor, 
especially the poor \^io have been well born. They do 
not have very many to love them, and the few that they 
have grow very dear. She sat down on the stairs out- 
side her room, with the bird in her lap, a long time on 
that day when she took him away to be changed for 
money that they might buy food. It seemed almost 
wicked to sell him for that. He appeared happier than 
ever, and sang more sweetly than she had ever heard him 
sing before. 

“ I feel just as though I was Judas,” she said to her- 
self, wiping away the tears. 

So long as she had been in the presence of the sick 
girl she had tried to be cheerful ; she did not stop to take 
this farewell visit with her bird until she had reached the 
flight of steps leading down to the street, lest Jane might 
chance to hear them. 

At last, however, she summoned all the courage which 
she could, and took him away, and came back feeling 


THE WRECKERS. 


177 


very sad, as though world was not exactly what it 
had been in the morning. I suppose mothers feel that 
way when they have left their little ones under the snow. 
She dreaded to enter again the room where she and 
Dickey had lived so happily together ; it would seem so 
still now. When she reached the house, she sat down on 
the same stair again and had a cry all by herself. Then 
she wiped her eyes, and, trying to appear as though 
nothing had happened to cause her any grief, she came 
into the room. The sick girl was lying with her 
face turned toward the wall ; she did not move when 
Katie entered, so the child thought she was asleep. She 
crossed the room on tiptoe, and sat down by the window ; 
not in her rocking-chair : that was gone. There was 
nothing but the old chest left now. For some time she 
sat quietly waiting for Jane to awaken. Presently she 
heard her voice saying, — 

Katie.’’ 

In a moment she was by her side. The girl with effort 
turned over, and, having settled herself in her new po- 
sition, continued in a low voice, speaking in only short 
sentences, and with evident pain, — 

Katie, I have some’n to tell you, but I don’t want 
you to feel bad.” The child with a sudden look of anx- 
iety bent forward and kissed her. 

What is it, Jane ?” she said. The girl continued : 

I ain’t goin’ to be with you very much longer, dear. 
I know I ain’t done what I ought ’a done. I ought ’a 
set you a better example ’n I have ; but I been tryin’ to 
be worthy o’ you for a good while, darlin’. I ain’t told 
no whoppers like I used to tell ; an’ I been tryin’ to pray. 
Only I was kind o’ ’shamed to do it afore you, ’cause 

m 


178 


THE WRECKERS. 


you knowed how I used to be fetched up by the cops when 
I was a young ’n. It seemed queer for me to be turnin’ 
pious. So I didn’t sa> nothin’ to you, but when you’ve 
been to school, an’ since I been a lyin’ here, I’ve prayed 
every day that God ’d make me more like you an’ Mrs. 
Russell. An’ I think He will, Katie. He knows I 
didn’t have much bringin’ up, an’ it seems to me as 
though when I get through here. He’s goin’ to give me 
another chance, somehow.” 

The child could only lay her cheek close down to J ane’s 
and sob, and beg her not to talk as though she were going 
to die. The next day w^as the Sabbath, and when the 
bells began to ring for church Peggy put on her old shawl 
and started out. She did not tell anybody where she was 
going, but when she came back she looked brighter than 
she had for several days, and sitting down by the side of 
the bed, she told the two girls that there would be a sur- 
prise for them that afternoon. She would not tell them 
what it was, and though she looked so happy they could 
not guess. There was no sound of the hammer in the 
next room, for Sandy always kept the Sabbath. He was 
too feeble to go to church very often, but he never neg- 
lected to read his Bible, and the morning prayer which 
he and Peggy offered every day was made a little longer 
than usual. Sometimes they read a sermon together, 
but much of the day was spent in singing. So while 
these three were in Jane’s room, they heard his voice 
through the thin partition. He was reading to himself 
that portion of the Book of Revelation which says, — 
These are they which came out of great tribulation, 
and have washed their robes, and have made them white 
in the blood of the Lamb. 


THE WRECKERS. 


179 


Therefore are they before the throne of God, and 
serve him day and night in his temple : and he that 
sitteth on the throne shall dwell ^nong them. 

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more ; 
neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 

^^For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne 
shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains 
of water : and God shall wipe away all tears from their 
eyes.’^ 

Then he closed the book, and bringing the palms of 
his hands together and shutting his eyes as though in 
holy ecstasy, he sang and they heard him, — 

“ Oh, the transporting, rapturous scene 
That rises to my sight ! 

Sweet fields arrayed in living green, 

And rivers of delight ! 

“O’er all those wide-extended plains 
Shines one eternal day ; 

There God the Son forever reigns. 

And scatters night away.” 

In the afternoon, as Katie sat at the window listening 
to the steady breathing of Jane while she lay asleep, she 
saw a carriage approaching the house. The horses were 
pure white, and their prancing step and gracefully curved 
necks reminded her of the pictures she had seen in her 
illustrated history at school, of Napoleon riding with 
Josephine through the forest at Fontainebleau; only 
there was no attempt at display here. The equipage was 
costly, but it conveyed the impression of comfort rather 
than vanity. The owner evidently did not feel the need 
of using golden harness by which to advertise his riches. 


180 


THE WRECKERS. 


There was no little powdered monkey of a boy on the 
back platform, kept ostensibly for the purpose of open- 
ing the carriage-door, but in reality for the purpose of 
mutely saying to the spectators, The gorgeous individ- 
ual within is an exceedingly rich individual ; and she 
moves only in the circles of the upper ten, she does. 
Hats 

The child’s heart throbbed when she saw the carriage 
approach, for she knew well to whom it belonged. 

Oh, Mrs. Russell’s coming !” she exclaimed with 
joy, in an undertone, running to the bedside of Jane 
and awakening her gently. Mrs. Russell’s coming ; 
her carriage is down-stairs now.” This, then, was the 
surprise of which Peggy had spoken. She had often 
heard of Katie’s beautiful teacher in the Sabbath-school, 
and had felt sorry for the child when her best clothes 
had been pawned, and she could no longer attend because 
she had nothing to wear. So when the bells rang that 
morning, she determined to see the lady and tell her all 
about it. 

Peggy had been greatly delighted with the reception 
she had received from Mrs. Russell, who had inquired 
very earnestly about Katie, and had thanked her so cor- 
dially and with such a sweet smile for having brought 
her tidings of her absent pupil, that the first thing she 
did when she went home was to tear up a Tract for the 
Times,” which had been handed to her by a socialistic 
neighbor, and which spoke of all rich people as The 
Grand Larcenists of America,” and legitimate “ Dynamite 
Victims.” 

For a moment Katie’s countenance changed as she 
looked about on the bare walls and curtainless window. 


THE WRECKERS. 


181 


It seemed out of place for such an one as Mrs. Russell 
to visit her in a room like that. She had not much 
time to think of these things, however, for while she 
was shaking up Jane’s pillow and adjusting the cover- 
lid a rap was heard on the door, and she hastened to 
open it. 

Good-afternoon,” said the sweet voice of the lady. 

I’ve missed my little pupil for a good while. I wanted 
to come and see you, for I feared you might be sick, but 
you never gave me your address, you know.” And, 
stooping down, she kissed her. Katie thought no more 
of the bare walls and uncarpeted floor. No sooner had 
her teacher entered than it seemed as though she had lived 
in just such a room all her life long. She laid down 
on the trunk a little bundle which she had brought with 
her, and taking the chair which Katie offered (one which 
Peggy had brought in that morning), she drew it up to 
the bedside of the sick girl. 

And this is the excuse for my little scholar staying 
away from her teacher all these weeks, is it ?” she said. 

Well, I have no doubt she makes a very faithful nurse.” 
She knew the real reason, for Peggy had told her ; but 
unlike some well-meaning philanthropists, she thought 
it would not help matters any to remind the child of her 
poverty. 

If Jane had known in the morning that this wealthy 
woman was coming, she would have felt nervous all the 
day ; but she was not at all nervous now. It seemed 
the most natural thing in the world for Mrs. Russell to 
be sitting there, stroking back her hair and talking thus 
with her, A quiet calm came over her, and she felt to- 
ward her as she never had toward any other woman. 

16 


182 


THE WRECKERS. 


She seemed so great and yet so good ; and when, after 
talking with her in a low, sweet voice, she arose to go, 
promising to come on the morrow, Jane felt as though 
she could put her arms about her neck and bless her. 

Here are some garments, Katie,^^ she said, pointing 
to the package. I thought they might just fit you, 
and so I brought them. I did not know but our sick 
girl here’^ — and she smiled on Jane — might like some 
little delicacies, too. So I put some in the carriage, and 
when I go down I will let the coachman bring them up. 
Good-by.’^ And before they could thank her she had 
passed quietly out of the door and closed it. 

Like the sailor lost at sea, saved when just despairing, 
Jane could scarcely realize that it was all true. Tears 
gushed from her eyes, but they were tears of joy ; and 
she lay in quiet ecstasy, scarcely daring to move, lest she 
should awaken and find it all a dream. 

So the next day the lady came ; and after that almost 
every day. Little by little she drew from Jane and 
Peggy the story of the sick girks life. Her sympathies 
warmed toward her more and more as she learned of her 
suffering and sorrow, and of the heroic spirit in which 
she had risen above it. She came to feel a deeper, more 
personal interest in Katie also, and began to try to devise 
some plan to help the child when Jane should be taken 
away. She had never liad any children of her own, and 
she found herself wondering day by day whether God 
did not intend that she should take this little waif into 
her own heart and life. As with every true woman, the 
maternal instinct in Mrs. Russell was very strong ; she 
longed to love, and to be loved by, a little child. Katie, 
with her unselfish devotion to Jane, and her sweet and 


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183 


trustful purity, appealed to her deepest affection as none 
other ever had. 

One day as she sat by the bedside of Jane, and Katie 
was out, the voice of Sandy could be heard in the next 
room, singing as usual, and Mrs. Russell said, He seems 
to be a very happy old man.” 

Yes, an’ very good, I guess. He’s been great com- 
pany for me while I been lyin’ here. Katie the other 
day was readin’ in the Bible as how somebody was in 
a prison, an’ at night he was a singin’ all to himself, — 
but the others what was in the prison heard him sing, 
an’ somehow — I forget now how — it made ’m better for 
it.” 

Was it Paul and Silas ?” 

Yes, them’s the ones. An’ when she read that I 
thought o’ him, — an’ I thought that good folks don’t 
know how much good they do when they’re happy like 
him, — it kind o’ goes through the wall like, as it does 
here, an’ catches somebody on the other side,— what they 
don’t know nothin’ abouj.” 

Yes, the best way to make happy is to be happy.” 

I know it ; but I been kind o’ unhappy, Mrs. Rus- 
sell, when I’ve heard him sing them hymns ; ’cause I 
been a real bad ’n in my day ; an’ I been a wonderin’ 
whether they was for such as me.” There was an in- 
tensely earnest look in her eyes as she gazed up into the 
face of her benefactress. The latter pressed tenderly the 
thin white hand which lay in hers while she answered, — 

^ This is a faithful saying and worthy of all accepta- 
tion, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sin- 
ners, of whom I am chief.’ That’s what Paul says, 
Jane ; and if he was able to save the chief, surely he is 


184 


THE WRECKERS. 


able to save the rank and file. If Paul did not despair, 
who had ^ breathed out threatening and slaughter,’ surely 
nobody need despair.” 

But how is a body to go about it, Mrs. Russell ?” 

Why, ray poor girl, just tell Him your sin, just as 
you’ve told it to me ; and then lay your weak hand in 
His, leaving all to His love as you would to mine. Only 
remember He is ten thousand times more ready to love 
you and take care of you than any human being ever 
can be. ^ Like as a father pitieth his children, so the 
Lord pitieth them that fear Him ; for He knoweth our 
frame. He remembereth that we are dust.’ ” 

Is that exactly what it means to be a Christian ?” 

Yes, just that and nothing more.” 

“ Is that what the preacher means when he says that 
long lingo in his Sunday sermon ?” 

Yes, that is just what he means.” 

Just what he means? I wonder why he don’t say 
so, then.” 

She lay quietly for a long time, and then she said in 
a low tone, — 

Mrs. Russell, I’ve put out my hand to Him, an’ I 
think He’s taken it. I know I been awful bad. I 
never told Katie that I was in the reform school, ’cause 
I couldn’t bear for her to think that ; though she knows 
I was took up by the cops. I didn’t have much bringin’ 
up ; I learned to lie like a good ’n, an’ I stole some when 
I was a young ’n. But if I feel sorry an’ ask Him to 
forgive me, you don’t think God ’ll feel hard to me ’cause 
o’ that, do you? I didn’t know no better in them 
times.” 

And it seemed to Jane like the voice of an angel which 


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185 


answered, The Lord is very pitiful and of great mercy. 
He is not willing that any should perish, but that all 
should come to a knowledge of the truth. 

And the old man could be heard singing, — ' 

“ One sweetly solemn thought 
Comes to me o'er and o’er: 

I’m nearer my home to-day 
Than ever I’ve been before. 

“ Nearer the hound of life, 

Where we lay our burdens down ; 

Nearer leaving the cross, 

Nearer wearing the crown.” 

After this she grew weaker as the days went by, but 
she was always happy. She had no anxiety about Katie 
now ; for one morning Mrs. Kussell had taken the child 
on her lap, and asked her if she could love her well 
enough to be her little girl when Jane had gone home to 
God. And Katie could not speak for joy, but she put 
her arms about the woman’s neck and sobbed. 

They did not hesitate to speak of Jane’s dying after 
this ; though they never called it death. It was only, as 
they phrased it, going home.” Every day they talked 
about it, and asked themselves a thousand questions about 
that better life. Should they know each other ? And 
Mrs. Kussell, with the Bible open at some promise, would 
answer yes ; and Jane would smile and say, — 

I’ll be lookin’ out for you both until I see you cornin’ 
up to the gate ; and then we won’t never have to part no 
more, will we?” 

At last the day came. It was a sunlit Sabbath in 
early spring, and they had been talking together of that 

16 * 


186 


THE WRECKERS. 


country where there should never be winter any more. 
She had seemed even brighter than usual in the morning, 
but as the afternoon passed on she grew much weaker, 
until at last she could not speak ; and when they asked 
her if she knew them, she only smiled and pressed their 
hand. The roll of the Jordan could be heard now, and 
they felt they were in sight of the river. The deepening 
sun, looking in through the window where she had sat 
so often in those weary days of toil, caused the shadows 
to lengthen about them. Sandy had ceased his singing 
when they told him of it, but they asked him not to 
stop, for she had always loved to hear him sing. And 
now the tide was rippling at her very feet, but she did 
not fear. In the dim twilight they could see that her 
eyes were fixed upward, and a strange glory played upon 
her face, as of a light streaming through an open door. 
They spoke to her, but she did not notice them. She 
was done with earth and all its cruel wrong and suffer- 
ing now. And amid the darkness and silence the old 
man’s words were heard again, — 

“ Now the day is over, 

Night is drawing nigh ; 

Shadows of the evening 
Steal across the sky. 

“Jesus, give the weary 
Calm and sweet repose ; 

With thy tenderest blessing 
May our eyelids close.” 


And they knew that prayer was answered. The weary 
was at rest. 


THE WRECKERS. 


187 


CHAPTER XIL 

A SCENE OF GAY FESTIVITY AND WIDD HILARITY, WHICH 
THE READER WILL DOUBTLESS RECOGNIZE AS BEING A 
LEAF OUT OF HIS OWN EXPERIENCE. 

Mrs. Russell was a very sensible person ; she did 
not feel that a mothePs whole duty toward her child was 
done when she had properly clothed, fed, and spanked 
her. She had had occasionally little ones under her 
charge whom she had taken temporarily into her home, 
when the parents were sick ; and in answer to their child- 
ish pleading for permission to do this or that she had 
made it a rule never to say No’^ simply because it was 
easier than to give attention, and perhaps say Yes.” I 
have seen mothers in my time who did that ; they did 
not want to be bothered.” But they were bothered ; only 
the botheration came further on, when the hair was gray 
and the foot was feeble with age, and they were not so 
well able to bear it as they would have been years back, 
when nature asked them to. They refused to pay the 
debt of motherhood in instalments, day by day, until at 
last nature sent in her bill, principal and interest, and 
they were compelled to make it all in one payment; and 
it killed them. Poor broken hearts ! They are under 
the sod now. There are no flowers planted above them ; 
for the drunken son and the dissolute daughter never 
think of them now. They yearned to do it once ; but 
the mother, with her multiplied engagements outside her 
home, did not want the ‘trouble.” Alas, she had 
trouble” enough later on ! 


188 


THE WRECKERS. 


But Mrs. Bussell was a very sensible woman. She 
was so sensible that Katie could scarcely for a long time 
realize the wonderful change in her condition. She 
knew of course that there was no longer any fear of want, 
and it was very delightful to feel that every day after her 
return from school she could ride or drive if she chose. 
But in this new home of her adoption there was so little 
emphasis placed on these things, and so much emphasis 
on the practical responsibilities of life, that even stran- 
gers, stopping there for a few days, came almost imme- 
diately to feel at perfect ease ; and when they left they 
found themselves thinking, not of the noble mansion, but 
of the noble people who dwelt in it. When they recalled 
their visits there they seldom spoke of the carpets, or the 
cut glass in the way of ornaments, and dishes, or the 
servants ; it was always of the cosey fireside, and the 
pictures, and the genial kindly talk at the table. 

In short, Mr. and Mrs. Russell owned their fortune, 
instead of their fortune owning them. 

Thus the routine of Katie’s daily life was changed as 
little as possible. She went to school every morning; 
the only difference being that on rainy days she rode 
instead of walking. When she appeared once more in 
her Sabbath-school class the change in her dress was 
scarcely marked, for Jane had provided her very pretty 
clothes in the days of her comparative prosperity. Of 
course she deeply mourned the loss of her friend. Every 
Saturday morning they drove out to the little green 
mound, bearing fresh flowers with them. Sometimes 
they would sit and talk for hours beside the grave ; and 
always hopefully. It was on a hill-side where they had 
buried her ; Mrs. Bussell had chosen the spot because, 


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189 


as she said, seemed so peaceful there/^ A dense 
hedge of evergreen surrounded the plat, and in one 
corner was a bed of flowers formed like an anchor, and in 
the other corner another like a star ; while on either side 
the entrance there stood two great poplars, as sentinels 
keeping guard until the resurrection morn. The form 
of an angel cut out of marble bent above the spot ; the 
wings were spread as though ready for flight, and one 
hand was pointing upward, while the other was stretched 
out with the palm turned down, as in the act of pro- 
nouncing peace. One fact which they could not under- 
stand greatly surprised them. Every week when they 
came they found that some one had been there before 
them, and with a bit of white ribbon had fastened to 
the outstretched hand a fresh wreath of flowers. 

It must be Peggy or Sandy,^^ suggested Katie. 
But both of tliese denied all knowledge concerning the 
matter, and when they came to question the keeper he 
was as ignorant as they. Moreover, on the very day 
after the funeral the child had thought of her bird, and, 
having secured the necessary amount from Mrs. Russell, 
had hastened off to redeem it. And when she came 
home crying because on that very day it had been sold, 
she found it awaiting her in her new home. Dickey 
chirped and seemed as genuinely glad as a bird could ; 
but his joy was as nothing when compared with hers. 
No one, however, could unravel the mystery ; the only 
account the servants could give was that an old man 
had come and left it at the back door, and said it was 
for the child. 

Thus, like a young tree which becomes easily rooted, 
she grew up amid her new surroundings until, without 


190 


THE WRECKERS. 


any very apparent change, she became a part of them 
and they a part of her. The past grew to be more and 
more only a vague memory. The stereoscopic picture 
of the little home in Jenkinstown was fading from the 
canvas, and the facts of the present, with the possibilities 
of the future, were becoming more vivid and real. 

One Sabbath, several weeks after her adoption into 
her new home, a church sociable was announced for the 
following Tuesday evening. Mrs. Russell, though fre- 
quently preferring the quiet of her own dwelling, always 
made it a point to be present. 

I do not go to get ; I go to give,’^ she would say to 
herself, when tempted to yield to a present inclination. 

The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but 
to minister.’^ 

So she and Katie were present on this Tuesday even- 
ing, and Mr. Russell promised to call round, after a 
meeting of the Common Council, of which he was a 
member. They did not arrive till late, but when they 
did, any one at all familiar with such gatherings, when 
held in ^‘church parlors,’^ would have recognized it 
immediately as a social.’^ 

On entering the large room, they found almost all of 
those present seated in long rows of chairs, placed against 
the wall, conversing in whispers, if they conversed at 
all, and waiting uncomfortably for something to begin. 
Over in one corner a few of the boys and girls were 
snickering, but the great majority were sitting very 
straight, trying to look happy, and wishing themselves 
at home. Here and there in the row was some individual 
who had come out with social inclinations, but who, 
having become weary of sitting up straight and being 


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191 


convivial all by himself, had found the solemn merry- 
making a little dull, and had accordingly dropped asleep. 

Oh, this will never do exclaimed Mrs. Russell to 
herself, as she looked around. Then walking up to 
some ladies whom she recognized as part of the com- 
mittee of entertainment,” she said, Let’s get them to 
circulating. Strike up something on the piano and ask 
them to promenade.” 

We’re waiting for the singers,” answered one of the 
ladies. We have a fine programme, but the performers 
always seem to delay their arrival at a church social till 
the last minute. I don’t see why it is ; they are willing 
enough to go to a party.” 

Mrs. Russell looked at the rows of chairs arranged 
against the wall as if by the hand of an undertaker ; at 
the walls of the church parlor” unornamented with a 
single picture ; at the entrance to the parlor,” where no 
one in particular appeared to feel the responsibility of 
attending to receive the guests, but where the stranger on 
his arrival was first greeted by the dumb stare of a num- 
ber of uncomfortable young men (standing first on one 
leg and then on another, that they might perchance ap- 
pear at ease), and then left to fix his eye upon some dis- 
tant chair, and to travel toward it across the intervening 
desert, without receiving even an all hail” from a single 
caravan on the way. 

And she thought that she could see very readily why 
it was that people who were willing enough to go to a 
party should absent themselves from a church social. 

I said the walls were unornamented with a single pic- 
ture ; and conscience will not permit me to change the 
adjective, notwithstanding the fact that there were in re- 


192 


THE WRECKERS. 


ality two pictures there. One was a ghastly portrait of 
some scriptural character, thin and spectral, a copy of 
one of the old masters, who lived and painted in the 
days when religion was supposed to dwell only in the 
breasts of skinny people, when the priests despised the 
flesh’^ so much that they were willing to burn up all 
their friends, and when a man did not dare to be fat for 
fear of becoming a roast heretic. The second was the 
portrait of an ex-pastor, taken at the age of seventy. 
He was a good man, and not at all vain ; which, if he 
looked like his picture, was very fortunate for his peace 
of mind. Just before leaving his charge he had had this 
taken and presented to the church, as a farewell token of 
his love. After receiving it, some of the worldly-minded 
declared in a whisper that it was the only sin they had 
ever known him to commit. But they had accepted it, 
and hung it in place on the walls of the parlor,” and 
had drawn the mantle of charity over him, wishing 
meanwhile that they could do the same with his portrait. 

Amid such hilarious surroundings the company had 
slowly and solemnly assembled, until now when Mrs. 
Russell looked at her watch it was half-past eight o’clock. 

We must do something,” she said, decidedly, even 
if the singers have not arrived. We mustn’t let people 
sit here staring at one another like a lot of mummies. 
Do have some one play, and so, if possible, get them 
on their feet.” 

I think we should try to cultivate intellectual recre- 
ation, for my part,” said the wife of one of the deacons, 
with superior dignity. She was a woman w'hose great 
aim in life was to be thought intellectual. She would 
be shocked beyond measure if any one failed to use the 


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193 


newest pronunciation of a word, and she herself would 
search through six dictionaries to find it; though it 
must be said that she knew far more about the pronunci- 
ation of a thing than of the thing itself. Of her clergy- 
man, who had graduated from three universities, she 
had been heard to say that ‘Oiis preaching was very 
good, but she often felt as though she should like to 
draw a line through some of his sentences.^^ In short, 
she was a woman who wore glasses, pronounced either, 
ither, and doted on Kobert Browning because she could 
not understand him. don’t see the use of always 
ither getting folks on their feet as they do at parties, or 
else having something to eat. Nither do I think it is 
appropriate for a church social. Why can’t they talk ?” 

Because, people to talk must have fresh ideas, which 
the generality of people have not,” responded Mrs. 
Russell. They are used to walking and used to eating, 
and as soon as we can get folks to doing that which they 
are accustomed to do they feel at ease. Then we can 
reach them by conversation if we choose, but not before.” 

The deacon’s wife turned and walked away ; she was 
indignant at Mrs. Russell, for she herself was on the 
social committee, and the words spoken were an arrow 
smiting her self-esteem. So, like a great many people 
when they cannot answer an argument, she retired on 
her dignity, nursing her wrath. She did not remain long 
at the social, but soon went home to hunt up the newest 
pronunciation of idyl. 

It was now announced that every one would be ex- 
pected to select a partner and promenade, and efforts 
were immediately instituted to procure a player. One 
young lady had practised thirteen years, but, shaking 
in 17 


194 


THE WRECKERS. 


her head determinedly, she affirmed that she could never 
in the world play without her notes. Another who al- 
ways made it a principle never to perform until she had 
been pressed to do so at least three times, was only asked 
twice ; so she sat and sulked all the rest of the evening, 
for she had been practising two hours that afternoon on 
one piece, fully expecting to be unexpectedly called upon. 

Finally a player was secured, and after considerable 
exhortation by the pastor, together with individual solici- 
tation, enough people were found to select partners and 
walk around really to make it appear, by about nine 
o’clock, as though something had begun. One young 
man, who had sat for an hour rubbing his middle finger 
along his knee, up and down the seam of his pantaloons, 
suddenly determined that he would be jovial. The cause 
of his inspiration was a fresh draught of courage which 
he had imbibed by seeing the smile (in which he had 
been indulging for the general benefit of the public at 
large) responded to unexpectedly by a young woman 
whom he knew, and who sat against the opposite wall. 
Leaping from his seat, he started across the room and 
asked her to take a walk. So they joined the procession, 
but he finding nothing to say, and the young lady being 
equally loquacious, he soon began to experience a sense 
of awkwardness once more, and accordingly pursued his 
promenade with the same grim solemnity with which the 
man who has not learned to dance until late in life passes 
through the figures of a quadrille. 

At length the singers arrived, and then the supper was 
served, so that when the hour came for them to go home 
every one felt that they were just beginning to enjoy the 
evening. It was at this sociable that Katie saw for the 


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195 


first time Mrs. Colonel Squealum DeCamp. With the 
exception of a few additional wrinkles, the five or six 
years which had passed had left her unchanged in 
appearance since we saw her in the New York hotel, 
mistaking Hans Volgate for a rag-bag. She and her 
husband had just returned from Europe. As before 
hinted, their matrimony had been a matter of money, 
and their marriage, therefore, a mirage. Of course the 
same results had followed which nearly always follow : 

Dear George’’ had become sarcastic, frequently leaving 
her dissolved in tears ; while she had become embittered 
because she was not understood. Though respectful to 
one another in society, their private life was somewhat 
in accordance with the legend of the Kilkenny cats. 
Here, for example, is a specimen of their affectionate 
conversation on the afternoon of that same day : 

“ You are going to the sociable at the church to-night, 
of course,” she said, as they sat together at the tea- 
table. 

No, I’m not,” he answered, calmly ; I’m going to 
the club to see if I can hear anything more about the 
threatened strike.” 

Then they quarrelled, he remaining cool and she be- 
coming excited. 

Very well,” she exclaimed at length, with heated 
face. I shall drive there in the carriage ; you are 
welcome to go where you like. Your room is better 
than your company, any way.” 

Well,” he replied, deliberately, taking out his gold 
toothpick, I confess that my present company is not 
quite as agreeable as she might be.” 

You call me your company ?” 


196 


THE WRECKERS. 


“You are my present company, are you not?” 

“ Agreeable ! How can you expect me to be agree- 
able ? I would like to know what kind of company you 
would have me be ?” 

“ If I had my choice,” pointing toward the door, “ in 
the language of the players, I would have you be a 
travelling company.” 

“ Ugh ! I hate you !” 

“ Ah, I thought you loved me,” biting off the end of 
a cigar. 

“ I^d like to know how you ever came to make such a 
mistake as that ?” 

“ I reasoned, my love, by analogy. Like the man 
who loves tobacco, I thought you loved me because you 
seemed to be so ready to chew me up. Good-by, Hovey.” 
And he walked out. 

When he had gone she indulged in some liquid emo- 
tion, but suddenly remembering that she was to make an 
appearance at the sociable, and that crying might spoil 
her complexion, she took out her handkerchief and gave 
to her sorrow a farewell salute; then she went up to 
arrange her hair. 

She did not arrive at her destination until late, so that 
the gay festivities were well under way when she swept 
into the “ parlor.” The promenaders had finished their 
walk-around, and the young men with their hands on 
their knees, having seated themselves by the side of their 
partners, were once more actively engaged in rubbing 
the seam of their pantaloons. 

It was a settled principle with her always to arrive 
late at such gatherings. “It is so, much better to be 
stared at by a roomful of people than to have to stare,” 


THE WRECKERS. 


197 


she was accustomed to say. In entertaining such a sen- 
timent she evinced her superior sagacity, and set an ex- 
ample to all my lady readers, church attendants, party- 
goers, and others, to whom it will doubtless come as a 
brand-new suggestion. 

Upon entering the parlor,^^ after having removed her 
things, she walked up to one of the mad revellers, who 
sat in a chair as though she was having her picture 
taken, and sweeping toward her like a gust of wind, she 
cried, — 

Oh, you dear woman ! How delighted I am to see 
you looking so well ! Why, I think I never saw you 
with such a becoming dress on in all my life. You really 
are getting quite young.^’ 

The “dear woman’^ answered, “Yes? You had a 
pleasant trip to Europe, I hope 

“ Oh, perfectly charming ! Did you stop at the H6tel 
du Louvre in Paris when you were over? IsnT it 
magnificent ? Why, we had six courses for dinner one 
Sunday afternoon, and sat at the table two hours. Paris 
is a wonderful city, isn’t it? Just think of it, two 
hours for dinner !” 

“ I suppose you visited the gallery of the Louvre ?” 

“ Oh, yes, we went over one morning. Isn’t it lovely ? 
Would you believe it, the fashions in Paris now are just 
too ridiculous for anything. Ladies are wearing those 
little tight dresses bound close about the hips, with a 
very large bustle behind. Isn’t it absurd ? I suppose 
we shall have it among us very soon.” 

“Yes, very absurd. What did you think of the 
pictures in the Salon Carr^ f That contains the most 
beautiful gems in the whole collection, you know.” 

17 * 


198 


THE WRECKERS. 


Oh, they were just charming, only they made my 
head ache. But what a lovely avenue the Champs Ely- 
s4es is! Isn’t it gorgeous? And the carriages! We 
were just there in the season, and it was worth a trip 
across the ocean if only to see those beautiful equipages. 
And the bonnets those French women had on ! They 
were just too beautiful for anything. There is one thing, 
as I remarked to Mr. DeCamp a thousand times, that I 
admire about the French nation. They do know how to 
dress in style. I never saw such finely-formed women 
in all my born days. Why, even the shop-girls looked 
just as though they had come out of a bandbox.” 

“ I suppose you visited Brussels ?” 

Yes, we were there a week.” 

What did you think of the battle-field of Waterloo ?” 

Well, to tell the truth, we didn’t have time to go to 
the field of Waterloo. Some of our party went, but you 
know Brussels is the great place where laces are made, 
and we were kept so busy driving from one store to 
another looking at those lovely laces, that when we got 
through I was just too tired to go anywhere except to 
bed. But we were delighted with Brussels. It must be 
a very gay city in the season.” 

Was the Palace of Justice complete when you were 
there ? Of course you saw it ?” 

Yes, we saw it ; at least I think we did. At any 
rate, we drove around a good deal and saw something ; 
I think they said it was the Palace of Justice, or a pic- 
ture-gallery, or something. I was glad to get home, 
though. This sight-seeing ! I think it is very instruc- 
tive, but it’s awfully tiresome. One has to pay such 
close attention.” 


THE WRECKERS. 


199 


Yes, it is instructive/’ replied the lady, dryly, sub- 
siding into silence. She had in former years been a gov- 
erness, and having ultimately married the father of the 
children under her charge, had shown herself a faithful 
mother to them as well as a true wife to him ; and while 
not very much at home in society (not being given very 
much to giggling), the pastor looked upon her as one of 
his most appreciative hearers. 

Mrs. DeCamp, with a glow of satisfaction, felt that 
she had made an impression, and went off to repeat the 
operation elsewhere. She was soon seen in another part 
of the room, surrounded by a bevy of ladies, and as she 
touched now her shoulders and then her hips, it was evi- 
dent that she was once more revelling in the midst of 
Brussels lace and Parisian dresses. Presently one of the 
ladies clasped her hands and rolled up her eyes in aston- 
ishment, and the ex-governess, seeing them from afar, 
concluded that they had just sat down to the dinner with 
the six courses. 

During all this time Katie had been sitting silently, 
rejoicing in what was to her a wondrous gathering. She 
had never before attended a party of any kind, and 
though she felt a little ill at ease, she enjoyed it intensely, 
for it was to her the revelation of a new life. Mrs. Rus- 
sell did not think it wise to introduce her widely at first ; 
she felt, with the keen instinct of a refined woman, that the 
timid child would prefer being left to herself, with the ex- 
ception of the few acquaintances she had made in the class 
at her school. It had become generally known, however, 
that she was Mrs. Russell’s adopted daughter. Quite a 
number of ladies had introduced themselves, and each 
had been charmed with her modest ways and beautiful 


200 


THE WRECKERS. 


face. Mrs. DeCamp, having so recently returned to the 
city, had not learned of this addition to her friend’s 
family. 

Who is that pretty young girl ?” she asked, stopping 
short just at the fifth course and looking over at Katie. 

Why, that is Mrs. Russell’s newly-adopted daughter. 
Haven’t you heard of it ?” 

Mrs. DeCamp threw up her hands, and, forgetting all 
about the ten kinds of dessert, exclaimed, No, really ?” 

They assured her that it was really. 

^^Why, she’ll be an heiress. She’s their only child. 
Think of the amount of money that young girl will some 
day have in her own name !” 

Excusing herself, she hastened over to where Katie sat 
and entered into a lengthy conversation. Before she had 
finished, she had told her of her instructive trip to Eu- 
rope, of the laces and the dresses tight around the hips, 
and the dinners with the many courses. Then she con- 
cluded by advising her to go across some time herself, and 
left the child wondering w-hat manner of woman this was. 

I must introduce her to Waldemar,” she said to her- 
self, buzzing across the room in search of that young man. 

Who was Waldemar? Do you remember that curly- 
headed little chap whom we met in the second chapter ? 
The black-haired boy in the crib whom Hans mistook 
for the lost Katie? That was Waldemar, nephew to 
Mrs. Colonel Squealum DeCamp. This world is not 
such a big world, after all. It is very little, and we cross 
each other’s track many times. 

Waldemar,” she said, with certain mysterious looks, 
come this way. I want to introduce you to the adopted 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Russell.” 


THE WRECKERS. 


201 


Match-making again/’ he thought to himself, as he 
submitted to her request, and with a half-smile followed 
her to the place where Katie sat. 

He was a boy of only fifteen years of age, but for one 
so young was a shrewd observer, and had not only noticed 
the peculiarities of his aunt for himself, but had heard 
them discussed quietly at the family table in his own 
home. With a very keen sense of the ridiculous, and 
therefore always ready to perceive the humorous side of 
everything which happened, he was withal very tender- 
hearted and kind ; so that while he might make these 
observations to himself, he usually kept them to himself. 
He was a handsome boy, with brown eyes and high fore- 
head, and wavy locks; one of those who appear from 
very boyhood to fulfil that description of a gentleman, — 
a definition which has never been excelled,— 

“As gentle as a woman, and as manly as a man.” 

Ko one could remember having seen him embarrassed ; 
he was at perfect ease in society, though he preferred, when- 
ever he could get it, the company of boys. Girls he 
looked upon as well-meaning nonentities, who were put 
into the world for the purpose of dressing up. Kot that 
he had ever come definitely to such an opinion, but hav- 
ing had the weaknesses of his aunt so prominently before 
him, he had, without intending to, drifted into a false 
opinion of the sex. Of course he looked upon his 
mother as an exception ; where is the boy who doesn’t ? 
But to him a girl was like an aroma, — agreeable, perhaps, 
but unsubstantial. 

He was never so well pleased as when with a company 


202 


THE WRECKERS. 


of boys, bunting or fishing, or playing ball. His very 
faults were the result of his exuberant spirits and love 
of jollity, jj He seemed, in short, to look upon life as a 
huge jok^ Intensely enthusiastic, whatever he under- 
took he performed with that zest which can turn the 
toughest drudgery into fun. In his recitations he stood 
either at the top of his class or at foot ; never in the 
middle. He disliked mathematics, and stood at the foot ; 
but he delighted in language, and history and literature, 
and stood at the head. His father was accustomed to 
say of him sometimes with hopefulness and sometimes 
with chagrin, that that boy would turn out to be either 
extraordinary or extraordinary ordinary.^^ And he was 
right. His boy was sometimes the teacher’s despair, 
especially if the teacher chanced to be one of those in- 
structors who look upon pupils as so many sticks of 
wood, who are all to undergo the same process, and 
whose worth or worthlessness is to be judged by the 
facility with which they conform to the pattern, after 
having been put through the machine. But when she 
was of that wiser kind who look upon their scholars not 
as blocks, but as living souls, each with his peculiar ten- 
dencies and possibilities, he became the object of enthusi- 
astic hope. 

Having introduced them one to another, Mrs. HeCamp 
fluttered across the room, cheerful and well pleased as if 
she had been some clergyman’s assistant drumming up 
a job in a dull season. Nobody can tell ; and who 
knows?” she chuckled to herself as she viewed them 
from a distance. 

Bather young? Why, bless you, reader, there are 
people in this world, and many of them, who if they 


THE WRECKERS. 


203 


had been present at creation would have ordained that 
the very birds should have been hatched out in pairs, 
and (save for the pleasure of making the matches) they 
would have had human marriages like poets, ‘^not made, 
but born.” Intrigue is to some women a necessity, 
and if they found no other field for the display of their 
talents, they would begin among the cradles. To peo- 
ple of Mrs. DeCamp’s range the first question in the 
catechism is, What is the chief end of woman ?” and 
the answer, At all hazards, to keep from being an old 
maid.” 

If Waldemar had chanced to be introduced to Katie 
casually, and under circumstances where she would have 
felt at ease, he perhaps might have been impressed with 
the fact that she was a good, sensible girl for one of her 
age, and with that impression would have gone his way, 
and forgotten the existence of such an individual, as he was 
bound to do any way. He knew, however, that he was 
being watched from the other side of the room, and while 
it did not at all disconcert him, he nevertheless felt that 
he wished to conclude the interview as soon as possible. 
So the only impression which he carried away was that 
she was a timid, pretty girl, who did not know very 
much, or, if she did, did not know how to say it ; and 
who, like the rest of womankind, had been created for 
the purpose of helping the milliners to get a living. Ex- 
cusing himself as soon as he could, he joined his com- 
panions, and was soon deeply engaged in discussing the 
relative merits of the Scrawnee Base Ball Club and the 
High School nine. 

Having thus placed Katie on her shop shelf, among 
the other beautiful young women whom she kept con- 


204 


THE WRECKERS. 


stantly on hand for the matrimonial market, Mrs. De- 
Camp determined to learn all she could concerning the 
value of this new piece of goods. 

She is young now, of course,^’ she thought to herself, 
as she went bustling across the room to where Mrs. Rus- 
sell sat, but she is getting older all the time, and it 
won’t do any harm for Waldemar to have the first 
chance. There ’ll be plenty of suitors four or five years 
from now.” 

Her pace slackened somewhat as she drew near the 
lady ; it was not quite so breezy as when she approached 
the ex-governess. She felt in some way that she scarcely 
understood Mrs. Russell. She pronounced her prim,” 
and never was really comfortable in her company. The 
real fact was, though she would not have admitted it, 
even to herself, that she knew in her heart that Mrs. 
Russell saw straight through her, with all her little 
motives and her hollow vanities. 

^^What a perfectly lovely child that is you have 
adopted !” she exclaimed, aftef the customary greetings. 

Where did you find her ? She looks really like a little 
princess in that beautiful skirt.” 

^^Yes, she is a sweet child,” replied the other, evi- 
dently annoyed that Mrs. DeCamp had spoken so loud 
as to let Katie hear what was said of her. 

She really looks as though she might be the centre 
of quite a romance. Has she a history ?” 

I suppose we all have a history,” evasively. 

Then the conversation was interrupted, and from that 
hour Mrs. DeCamp resolved to find what that history 
was. 

They formed a singular contrast, these two. If judg- 


THE WRECKERS. 


205 


ment were being passed upon their looks, probably eleven 
people out of a dozen woul have decided in favor of 
Mrs. DeCamp. She certainly would have attracted the 
attention of twenty-four ere the twenty-fifth (probably 
some paternal old man) had finished studying the face 
of her companion. 

AYhat is beauty ? The disciples saw it in our Lord, 
but it consisted so little in external symmetry that those 
disciples have not even thought to tell us the color of 
his hair or of his eyes, the measure of his stature, or the 
shape of his hand or foot. Such was the beauty of Mrs. 
Russell. A painter could not have painted it ; prob- 
ably would not have cared to. Hers was a grace which 
needed rather a biographer. There was comparatively 
little regularity of feature when one came to analysis, 
but, like Moses when he descended from the mountain- 
top, her face shone and she knew it not.’^ Whatever 
of beauty there was in the face of Mrs. DeCamp, with 
the complexion powdered and the wrinkles painted over, 
was that which a picture could represent, the poorest 
kind. 

At last Mr. Russell arrived, and Mrs. DeCamp was 
surprised to find her husband accompanying him. 

Why, George, I thought you were not coming,^^ she 
said. 

My dear, you know I could not get along for a whole 
evening without you.” 

Oh, how good of you !” loud enough fot the company 
to hear. I had quite despaired of seeing you.” 

The truth was that this goodness h^d been quite in- 
voluntary. Mr. DeCamp, in addition to his business in 
the bank, was the proprietor of a wotjUen- factory, and 
18 


208 


THE WRECKERS. 


there had recently appeared signs of considerable dissatis- 
faction among his employes. He was afraid of a strike, 
and, as he had large contracts on his hands, it occasioned 
him a great deal of anxiety. Mr. Russell, though he 
was the president of a large rolling-mill company em- 
ploying several thousand hands, had never had but one 
strike in all his business career. If he had endeavored 
to enforce his will by measures such as were used by 
firms about him, he would doubtless have had the 
same trouble which they had. But he did not. No 
workingman was ever repulsed who had a grievance. 
He was kindly received, and his requests carefully con- 
sidered. 

Of course he did not pretend to give his personal at- 
tention to each of these cases ; but it was understood 
throughout the whole establishment that the heads of the 
different departments were to seek to exercise not merely 
justice, but kindness. Cases which could not be settled 
by those lower in authority were referred to the firm, 
and by them duly considered. The skilled workmen 
were not simply paid in wages, but received, in addition, 
a certain percentage of the profits. The whole policy 
was one of generosity and encouragement to greater ef- 
fort. The promotions were made from among the men, 
and the firm would not go outside their own employes 
to secure one to fill an important position simply be- 
cause they might obtain him at less expense. He had, 
moreover, arranged a reading-room for the men, where 
coffee could be had at cost, and provided it with chess 
and checkers. Once a week he made it a point to be 
there himself in the evening ; and many a friendly game 
did he have with some calloused-handed puddler, enjoy- 


THE WRECKERS. 207 

ing it as heartily as they whenever they succeeded in 
beating him. 

There was not a man of them who would not have 
staked his life on Mr. Russell’s honor. Their homes 
were pleasant and happy ; for he gave a prize at the end 
of each year to the owner of that flower-garden which 
should be declared by a committee selected by themselves 
the most worthy to receive it. 

Mr. DeCamp’s manner of dealing with his employes 
was very different from this. His horizon seemed to be 
dark and tempestuous ; and he had sought his friend 
to consult with him concerning his troubles. Thus it 
happened that they were now found together at the 
sociable, where Mr. Russell had appointed to meet his 
wife. 

At stated intervals,” this gentleman said, when he 
and Mr. DeCamp had seated themselves together in one 
corner of the room, our men are invited to meet their 
employers. Then we hold a meeting, at which speeches 
are delivered going to show the beneficial results of 
frugality and morality. After the speeches a public 
statement is made concerning the jirofits to be divided.” 

But your plan is revolutionary.” 

Not at all. There are more than a hundred firms 
in Europe who are doing this same thing.” 

But what does it all amount to ? Even if you give 
them more money, they will only spend it in drink.” 

That is the one point in which we are severe with 
our employes. It is distinctly understood that every 
man employed by us shall be a temperance man. Not 
that we attempt to be dictatorial ; we do not attempt to 
rob the German of his beer, or even the Irishman of 


208 


THE WRECKERS. 


Ills whiskey if he wants it. But we turn our whole 
moral influence in favor of total abstinence ; and in 
asking them to join us, we depend upon example as well 
as precept. Any man who gets drunk, for the first 
ofience is reprimanded ; for the second he is laid ofi* for 
a week, and for the third he is discharged.” 

“What do they do on Sundays? Don’t they get 
drunk then?” 

“ No, and for two reasons. First, we do not pay our 
men till Monday ; in this way we remove the tempta- 
tion. Secondly, we do no work after one o’clock Satur- 
day. This gives the men a chance for a little outing 
with their families, instead of turning into a holiday the 
Sabbath, which I believe, on physiological principles as 
well as religious, ought to be kept as a holy day.” 

“ What ! do you never keep them at work on Sunday 
under pressure of business ?” 

“ Never.” 

“Well, you are too strict. The Sabbath was made 
for man, not man for the Sabbath.” 

“ I know the Sabbath was made for man ; and that is 
the very reason why I for one will not rob him of it. 
It is his : I have no right to take it from him, even if 
he does happen to be poor and in my power.” 

“Well, what do they do with this money?” 

“With part of it they build homes. We have a 
building association among our men which we encour- 
age. My theory is that a good workman will be more 
likely to come from a good home and a bad workman 
from a bad home. So we encourage home building in 
every way that we can.” 

“ My experience with the working class is, that the 


THE WRECKERS. 209 

more you give them the more they want. I haven’t 
any patience with them.” 

Then it isn’t strange that the more you give them 
the more they want, for they know when you give it to 
them that you do it because you must ; that you haven’t 
any patience with them. Put yourself in their place; 
how would it be with you ? Suppose you had been one 
of those Jocking Valley miners, willing to work for 
anything like decent wages, and by the merciless hand 
of a tyrannical corporation screwed down to the last 
farthing on which soul and body of your wife and child 
could be sustained ; with no prospect of the possibility 
of laying by anything for old age, — nothing before you 
and those you love but the poor-house or a pauper’s 
grave ; would you not be driven to the doing of deeds 
for which in your calmer moments you would be sorry ?” 

But are employers to be expected to give more than 
they can afford to give ?” 

Afford to give ! The fact is that many employers 
are not willing to make a fair division of their profits. 
They want to become rich in five years, and how can 
they do that except by oppression ? There is the sworn 
statement of Mr. Rochester, who in that same Jocking 
Valley kept on employing his men at the old price, — 
there is his sworn statement that he made a profit of 
twenty per cent, right along, at the very time that this 
corporation was declaring they could not afford to give 
any more than starvation wages. It is this which gives 
power to the socialistic agitator and the blatant commu- 
nistic tramp when they go among these people. I be- 
lieve the workingmen of this country care neither for 
them nor their revolutionary principles ; but they are in 
18 * 


o 


210 


THE WRECKERS. 


many places in despair. There is, I believe, but one 
way to stop this rising tide of evil ; and that is for the 
employers throughout our land to realize their real rela- 
tion as guardians of those under engagement to them.^’ 

“ Well, if I were a workingman and had any sense 
I think I should be satisfied. Why, there never was a 
time in the history of the world when that class fared 
so well as they do to-day. Look at the houses in which 
they live, or in which they might live if they would 
only save their wages instead of spending them for 
drink, and compare them with the cabins and shanties 
of their grandfathers. Why, with all these modern 
improvements, window-glass, sewing-machines, etc., a 
worldngman now lives as dukes and earls in old Eng- 
land never thought of living only a few centuries ago.” 

^^And I grant freely that there’s truth in that. In 
some localities that is so; the whole of society has 
moved forward, and I do not believe as a rule that ^ the 
rich are becoming richer and the poor poorer’ ; all are 
moving forward, though the express goes faster than the 
freight. But the fact remains that you can never depend 
upon any mere mechanical improvements to bind these 
classes together. It isn’t art this world needs, but heart. 
They know whether you look upon them as men or 
things. And as to their drinking, I believe the employers 
in our factories and mills are often a thousand times 
more responsible than they dream.” 

How?” 

Men will congregate somewhere ; they are made so. 
They are gregarious by nature. I seek to meet that 
emergency by establishing coffee-houses in the district 
where my works lie, where all of my employes can get 


THE WRECKERS. 


211 


milk or coffee, or cocoa or tea, with a light lunch if they 
choose, at cost price. At ten o^clock these places are 
closed, and as a rule the men go home.^’ 

« Why, you ought to be a preacher,” said Mr. De- 
Camp, laughing. 

Well, if I were a preacher,” replied he, with a smile, 
‘^I’d preach these things right out, and if you were 
in my congregation I^d take for my text, ^ Am I my 
brother’s keeper?’ and I warrant you there’d be the 
play of brimstone all around the church walls before I 
had finished. This is the great question of to-morrow, 
and the sooner we come to understand that fact and lay 
aside class prejudice, and place ourselves as Christian men 
in a position to look at the matter fairly, the better.” 

It was now quite late, and the people had mostly left. 
Mr. DeCamp’s carriage was announced, and he bade his 
friend good-night. 

^^We have had a very important meeting of the 
Council,” said Mr. Russell, turning toward his wife after 
the other had gone. I still have a member to see who 
could not be present this evening. He lives at a con- 
siderable distance, so that I thought I would drive here 
first and take you home ; I can see him afterwards.” 
They had by this time reached the carriage. 

Perhaps we will accompany you if you think best. 
Wliat a charming moonlight night it is !” 

Very well. The second door beyond the cemetery, 
John.” 

Gradually the houses became fewer in number and 
the road more solitary. The summer evening air made 
the drive very delightful, and from the open carriage 
they could discern all the objects along the way in the 


212 


THE WRECKERS. 


clear moonlight. As they returned they noticed by the 
roadside an old man seated on a stone, and holding in 
his lap a dog. They rolled past him, and he sat watch- 
ing them till they had gone. 

Then he arose, and the keeper that night saw him 
walking up the carriage-way in the cemetery between 
the cedars with the dog at his side. He followed him, 
and when he came to the lot where Jane lay sleeping, 
he went in and lay down with his head resting on her 
grave. 

Poor fellow !’’ muttered the keeper, and turned away. 

It was Michael Barney. 


CHAPTEE XIII. 

AT LAST. 

There had been many dark hours in Mike’s life, but 
it seemed to him that the darkest hour he had ever known 
was that in which he had staggered away from the hotel 
in Belleville after his last terrible disappointment. To 
have in his very hand the fruit, and find it turn to ashes 
in his grasp ! For one brief moment he had been like 
Lazarus raised from the dead, groping his way into the 
light ; but when he sought for the hand which should 
remove the napkin from his eyes, it only smote him in 
the face and told him to go back into his grave again. 

Och, if I only knew she was dead intirely !” he 
groaned, as he fell into a chair and buried his face in his 
hands. 


THE WRECKERS. 


213 


Seeing his earnestness, the young woman tried to recol- 
lect from whom she had heard the news of Jane’s ill- 
ness. At last she was able to direct him to Betsy Gamin, 
to whom, it will be remembered, Jane wrote on the 
morning of her departure, and with whom she had had 
correspondence at very rare intervals since that time. 
Betsy could say nothing, however, which could furnish 
Mike with any clue, except that the girl was somewhere 
in Groveland, and a few months before had written ask- 
ing in reference to Mrs. Felix, and stating incidentally 
that she herself had been sick, but was somewhat better. 
Even her address in the city she could not tell ; for Jane, 
not knowing exactly how the drubbing she had given to 
the woman had resulted, had taken the precaution in 
writing even to Betsy to have her send her reply to the 
general post-office. Seeing the grief of Mike, the girl 
promised that if she ever heard anything more concern- 
ing her friend she would write immediately to him, in 
care of Hans Volgate at Jenkinstown. 

It was with a very heavy heart that Mike returned to 
his friend after searching Groveland for any stray hints 
of her whereabouts. He had advertised in the city pa- 
pers, but Jane, rising early in the morning and sitting 
late at night over her sewing, had never any time to read 
the papers. Of course, therefore, he received no reply. 
Even the talk with Betsy Gamin served to fill him with 
apprehension lest the two wanderers had quitted the 
city ; for she stated that the last letter which she had sent 
had been returned to her unopened, and consequently un- 
delivered. Acquainted as we are with the facts of Jane’s 
illness, we can tell why it had never been called for ; but 
they, knowing nothing of this, naturally conjectured the 


214 


THE WRECKERS. 


worst. Thus the weeks went by, and it would have 
been difficult to tell which was plunged into the deepest 
despondency, Hans or Mike. 

But one day a letter arrived from Betsy, stating that 
Jane had written by the hand of another that she was 
very sick and soon to die, and had requested her to say 
to Mrs. Felix, if she still knew where she lived, that 
she felt no longer any bitterness toward her ; that be- 
fore she died she wished to forgive and ask forgiveness 
in return for whatever she might have done which was 
wrong. In this letter she had given her true address. 

At last, O God !” Mike exclaimed, as he clutched the 
note, and reread it with moist eyes and trembling hand. 

At last, at last, O God 

When would the train start? Not till next morning. 
He could not wait. He would not wait. He had been 
disappointed so many times, he would start at once. He 
became more excited as the hours passed. Hans began 
to look troubled. He had seen him greatly aroused, but 
never so unreasonable before. Hour after hour he walked 
the floor or went out wandering through the street. The 
good German followed close beside him, never leaving him 
for an instant. After a time he began to speak incohe- 
rently : then Hans knew the madness was upon him. 
The terrible strain for the last few weeks, followed, when 
almost all expectation was gone, by the sudden awaken- 
ing of hope, had proved too much for his troubled mind. 

For weeks he lay bound in the mad-house. Hans 
could not perform the errand himself, for when the letter 
had arrived he was at the store, and when he returned 
an hour or two later, Mike, in the mad excitement of joy, 
had crumpled and torn it, so that the writing was no 


THE WRECKERS. 


215 


longer decipherable. With that strange cunning which 
is so common among the insane, he resisted all their 
efforts to extract from him the address. 

When finally, after long confinement, he came to him- 
self, it was all vivid to his memory. Every jot and 
tittle in that letter he could recall. With as little delay 
as possible he hastened on once more to Groveland. The 
door of the house which he sought was open, but he 
knocked. 

‘^Does a young woman by the name of Jane live 
here r 

^^She did live here, but she doesn’t any more, poor 
thing. She was buried yesterday.” 

“ Is there a child by the name o’ Katie here ?” 

No, not now. She’s gone away, too. I heard tell 
some rich lady adopted her. If you’ll step in. I’ll find 
out all about it. The folks up-stairs knows all about ’em.” 

She did not ask him to follow, but he followed. The 
woman led him into the room where Peggy and Sandy 
were sitting together ; Sandy at work and Peggy reading 
aloud to him. 

As best he could, Mike controlled his emotion while 
he listened to the recital of the story with which the 
reader is already familiar. It was well, since he desired 
to hide his identity, that these two were very simple- 
hearted and unsuspecting persons. 

An’ where does this Mrs. Russell live ?” he asked, 
when they had concluded the story. 

I dunno, I’m sure, where she does live, but the Lord 
bless her wherever she is,” replied Peggy. 

Is there any way that I can find out ? Who was 
the preacher at the funeral ?” 


216 


THE WRECKERS. 


They told him that it was the pastor of the neighbor- 
ing church. So he went forth, and that night he sat for 
three hours opposite the Russell mansion, till one after 
another the lights in the windows had gone out and all 
was dark. 

Only God, looking down from the sky, saw the bitter 
struggle through which he passed during those hours. 
Should he claim her as his own child after having vainly 
sought her for all these years, or should he leave her in 
that exalted position where he now found her and go his 
way? 

Sure it’s moine she is intirely, an’ I ought to have 
her,” he murmured. They’ve got enough in that big 
mansion, widout takin’ my one little bird out o’ my 
bosom. Och, but what am I, to be talkin’ o’ takin’ a 
young lady o’ the loikes o’ her ? She’s the daughter of 
a big person now ; she’ll be havin’ gold an’ silver, an’ 
everything that heart can wish, an’ what would I be 
doin’ to take her away to live in a cabin loike mine, 
only for the sake of a poor unedjercated Irishman o’ the 
loikes o’ me !” 

He sat in silence for a long time, watching the lights 
in the windows, and then with a sigh continued, — 

Och, me darlin’, I been chasin’ ye all over the world, 
so I have, wid a heavy heart, an’ at last I’ve found 
ye, God be praised ; an’ there’s nothin’ but a stone wall 
between us. But sure you’re farther away from me than 
ever ye was before, so ye are.” Then after another pause : 

You’re farther away from me, because you’re higher up; 
an’ it’s not Michael Barney ihafll drag ye down. You’re 
safe now, God be thanked for that. You’re neither 
hungry nor cowld nor cry in’ wid cruelty. You’re where 


THE WRECKERS. 


217 


you’ll be Happy now, bless your schwate heart ! An’ 
ye’ll grow up to be a lady. Sure it’s lonely I’ll be wid- 
out ye, an’ it’s breakin’ me heart to be thinkin’ that I 
can niver put me arms about ye, an’ call ye my own 
little choild any more ; but I have suffered so long, 
an’ for your sake. I’ll suffer to the end, — I’ll suffer to 
the end.” 

Then he went away with a great peace in his heart 
which he had not known for many weary years, and, hav- 
ing sought his room at the hotel, remained for a long time 
upon his knees. When he arose, he lay down with a 
smile to sleep, and he slept as peacefully as a little child. 
Those three hours of his lonely watch had been the tri- 
umph of a soul ; the victory of love. Like others before 
him, he had gone down into Gethsemane, and sweat great 
drops of blood in giving himself a ransom for another ; 
and now angels came and ministered unto him. 

The next day he arose early and sought out the pawn- 
broker’s shop which Peggy had incidentally described to 
him, and, having purchased the bird, took it as his first 
love-offering to his child. That afternoon he found his 
way to the grave of Jane, and his hand it was which 
henceforth kept the mound covered with flowers. 

He soon learned at what hours the child went to her 
school, and, unobserved by her, would watch for her 
coming, and then follow at a distance filled with a quiet 
rapture. Once he spoke to her, asking her some simple 
question concerning the route as though he had lost his 
way ; but he did not dare approach her again for a long 
time, because he came so near declaring himself her 
father and throwing his arms about her. 

The room which she and Jane had occupied he secured 


218 


THE WRECKERS. 


for himself, and, buying back again the furniture which 
had been pawned, endeavored, with the help of the casual 
descriptions of unsuspecting Peggy, to make it appear as 
nearly as he could just as it had appeared when they 
were living in it. 

At first he was very shy of his new neighbors, lest 
they might guess that he was in some manner connected 
with the child, but gradually he became more trustful as 
their acquaintance increased and he found how simple- 
hearted these two were ; so that he would sit for a long 
time in the evening after the day’s work was done listen- 
ing to the stories which they were never weary of telling 
about Jane and Katie, and the wonders of the new life 
into which the child had been introduced. Sometimes 
he would chance to meet her, for she was not forgetful 
of her trusty old friends, and very often would visit 
them and repay them manyfold for their kindness to her 
in the hour of her need. Such occasions were seldom, 
however, for when she came he was generally absent at 
his work, but Peggy would always have many interest- 
ing things to tell him when he returned. He had found 
employment as a porter in a store, but after he had been 
there for some weeks the firm dissolved, and because he 
had proved himself so faithful, the senior partner found 
him another situation as night watchman in a bank. 

So after this he was no longer busy during the day, and 
thus he saw the child more frequently. Gradually they 
became so well acquainted that she would ask for him 
when she came to see Peggy and the old man. The lat- 
ter had gotten completely over his diffidence by this time, 
and many a happy hour did they spend together, singing 
the old hymns with one another. The breath of society 


THE WRECKERS. 


219 


was reeking with dangerous fumes, but it did not reach 
them. Gangs of men on the street corners were whisper- 
ing such ominous words as riot^^ and blood f but they 
knew nothing of these things. 

Sandy’s rooms were much more comfortable now, and 
he did not have to work as hard as he once did. Mrs. 
Russell had had the walls neatly papered and the wood- 
work painted, and thougli she could not persuade them 
to part with their old furniture, nevertheless when they 
went to bed at night they now slept on a spring mattress 
instead of the husks which had once caused their aged 
bones to ache. Katie had selected some pictures also, 
which Mike had hung tastefully around the walls for 
them ; and the socialistic neighbor had long ago become 
disheartened in his efforts to disseminate his views and 
distribute his tracts in that quarter. 

None o’ your papers for me,” Peggy would say, when 
he pressed them upon her with harrowing stories of the 
wrongs of labor. That there’s bad people among the 
rich I don’t doubt, just as there is among the poor. But 
it ain’t riches or poverty that makes ’em bad ; it’s the 
kind o’ heart they’ve got inside of ’em.” 

Living in the same house there was one family who 
readily became converts to the new doctrine that all 
property is robbery,” and that capitalists are the pirates 
of the nineteenth century.” Their name was Maguire, 
and both father and son were employed by Mr. DeCamp. 
That financier was accustomed, as we have seen already, 
to say that this whole question between the poor and the 
rich was only a matter of supply and demand. 

I pay my men just what I agree to pay them,” he 
declared, with the virtuous pride of a good citizen, and 


220 


THE WRECKERS. 


I agree to pay them just as little as I cab. That’s busi- 
ness.” He did not say, Wlien I have paid them their 
stipend my full duty towards them is finished. But he 
thought so, and acted according to his creed. His em- 
ployes grew to hate him, because they rightly felt that 
he looked upon them simply as machines, counting their 
labor exactly as he would reckon the value of a steam 
shovel : aceording to the work he could get out of it, and 
beyond that — nothing. 

A few in his employ attended the same church ; and 
from their distant pews they saw him bow graciously to 
others about him, but, though he met them every day, 
^ there was never a smile for them. 

Some of them came to their work heavy-hearted after 
a week’s absence. He never inquired the cause of that 
absence, except to deduct their wages without question, 
and threaten them in stern tones with summary discharge 
if it were repeated.. And they never thought to tell him 
that the little child was sick and dying at home, and the 
wife was ill with watching, and that they had stayed 
away to wait for its last breathing. It is natural for us 
to whisper our sorrows into another’s heart, but not to 
an iceberg. When Mr. Bussell’s partner died, and the 
men in the shops, who had loved him as they loved Mr. 
Bussell himself, found themselves so completely over- 
come that they could not work while he was lying dead 
and unburied, that gentleman paid them in full for the 
three days in which they had sat in the silence and gloom 
of their own hearths, though it cost him thirty thousand 
dollars to do it. DeCamp, however, declared that while 
he was a good man- he was not a wise one. He would 
not believe it when some one said that when Mr. Bussell 


THE WRECKERS. 221 

had acted thus towards his men he had shown himself 
both good and wise too. 

So every Saturday night DeCamp paid his hands, and 
went to church Sunday morning feeling that he had ful- 
filled all the duties of an employer toward his employes. 
And they hated him every day, and formed socialistic 
clubs, and made speeches at their gatherings, and heard 
speeches from others like themselves. And wicked 
words were used in an undertone, and sometimes when 
they were together and the doors were shut, in a louder 
tone, which might have prevented the employer from 
dozing as peacefully over the sermon if he could have 
heard it in his cushioned pew ; threats in which occurred 
such 'ugly terms as robbery, and slavery, and revenge. 
And the daily journals denounced their meetings without 
discrimination ; and books were written describing them 
as lazy thieves, caricaturing their assemblies, as though 
their wrongs were all within themselves, and their only 
thought was idleness and plunder. But few lifted their 
voices against the selfish heartlessness of the men who 
drove them to these things. Few seemed to discover 
that the increasing agitation was anything more than a 
question of mere wages and work ; that what the laborer 
hungered for, though he in many instances knew it not, 
was not simply more gain, but more sympathy and re- 
spect : to be dealt with not as a machine, but as a man : 
to be permitted to feel that, though one worked at his 
bench and the other at his desk, all sympathy between 
them was not closed when the shop was shut. 

True, there were husky ejaculations raised in behalf of 
the laborer, and tracts were written and were distributed 
while the men at the hour of lunch talked together with 
19 * 


222 


THE WRECKERS. 


angry glances. But these were mostly so ultra and un- 
true as to command no respect, and only to prejudice the 
cause they pretended to espouse : the work of destruc- 
tionists and not of constructionists. Society heard the 
mad ravings of the fever-stricken patient, but listened 
in vain, if in the midst of its thoughtless frivolity it 
listened at all, for the calm counsel of the- doctor who 
should diagnose the disease. 

Times have not changed much since these things oc- 
curred ; only the rumbling has grown a little louder, that 
is all. Men are beginning to look askance now, and to 
talk about the question of social relations as the question 
of the future. Yet there were some, even then, whose 
ear was keen enough to hear the distant roar of the storm 
coming over the mountains. 

Mike had often desired to see Mr. Russell, but had 
never had the opportunity until one morning, when he 
was detained at the bank in the absence of one of the day 
employes. At the noon hour the directors were accus- 
tomed to meet and discuss financial concerns. Among 
these were Mr. DeCamp, who was now the president of 
the bank, and Mr. Russell. It was shortly after the con- 
versation already alluded to had taken place on the night 
of the sociable. Several strikes had been inaugurated, 
and many bitter words were uttered by some of those 
present who represented large concerns. At last Mike 
from the next room caught the voice of Mr. Russell 
(though he did not know to whom it belonged till after- 
ward). The earnestness of the tones attracted his atten- 
tion, and he could not help listening to what he said. 

You all know I’m no communist,” he heard him ex- 
claim ; and I agree with you that we cannot deal too 


THE WRECKERS. 


223 


summarily with the hand which, in this free country, un- 
furls the red flag. There always have been two classes, 
and there always will be. ‘ The man who thinks will 
rule the man who toils.’ If communism could wipe out 
every other form of aristocracy, there would still remain 
the aristocracy of brain. That will exist so long as men 
are men. If there were an equal division to-morrow, some 
would have more and some less by the day after to-morrow, 
just as surely as the wind forms the snow into drifts and 
hollows. That’s one side. But I tell you again,” rising 
from his chair in the earnestness of his feeling, there 
never can be any sympathy between these classes until 
we who have wealth and power are willing to syiiipathize. 
And if we do not,” raising his finger impressively, 

though men may shut their eyes and refuse to believe' 
it, remember, the only thing which is certain is the un- 
expected. These present relations cannot exist forever. 
In this country there are increasing numbers of intelli- 
gent workingmen who feel that there is much that is 
wrong in the present relation of the employer to the em- 
ployes. In many cases the only difterence between the 
old-time slavery and the present wage system is that under 
slavery there was a sense of moral obligation on the part 
of the master to provide for the slave when he could no 
longer work. The white slave and the black are worse 
off to-day ; for while they must work just as hard for 
only enough to keep soul and body together, in their old 
age they have not even a master to care for them.” 

What can you do ?” interrupted one of the gentle- 
men. 

Turning toward him, he continued, — 

What can we do ? Gentlemen, I believe it is true 


224 


THE WRECKERS. 


that at the base of every social evil there lies a social 
wrong. If these men did not have some real grievance, 
they never could have held together as they have. I, for 
one, do not intend to pursue the ostrich policy of simply 
shutting my eyes. No man can judge of this question 
from the outside. Either by experience or sympathy, he 
has to judge of it from within.^' 

But what can we do repeated the same voice again. 

This we can do. Thomas Carlyle was right when 
he declared, ^ The beginning and the end of what is the 
matter with us in these days is, — that we have forgotten 
God.’ I tell you, gentlemen, there never has been any 
better rule laid down for business than that which was 
enunciated by the shores of Jordan, ^ Thou shalt love.’ ” 
Every breath was hushed as he proceeded, in calm and 
clear but earnest tones : 

It is the people who, with the spirit of the Galilean, 
are accepting wealth and influence not as a right, but as 
a trust, who are to save our country- from anarchy, if it 
is to be saved. It is they who accept that wealth and 
influence not as a trust, but as a right, who, if an upris- 
ing comes, will be ' the Fathers of the devolution.’ They 
are our dangerous classes, not the poor nor the rich, but 
the rich who do not know how to use their riches. 

Peter Cooper was rich ; William E. Dodge was rich ; 
but not one socialist was made by them. It is that rich 
man, whoever he may be, who is willing ^ the dear public 
shall be damned,’ who is a firebrand to-day in our Ameri- 
can society. It is easy to denounce the voice of a locking 
Valley mob ; and it may be the voice of a heathen. But 
it is the voice of a heathen sea-captain crying to a Jonah 
slumbering peacefully in the hold of the ship, while the - 


THE WRECKERS. 


225 


storm is brewing on the deep, ^ Awake, thou that sleep- 
est, and call upon thy God if so be we perish not/ 

Beware all ye who, with eyes shut to Poverty’s help- 
less pleading, are rocking in easy selfish pleasure ! Jonah 
repented, but not until he had been thrown into the sea. 
‘ Is it a revolt?’ cried the French king, of the messenger 
who with blanched cheek hurried to tell him of the uj)- 
rising in Paris in 1830. ‘ No, sire,’ was the answer, ‘ it 

is a revolution.’ ” 

As Mike went home, he scratched his head several 
times, and then muttered, — 

Sure, Peggy, an’ I belave it’s roight ye are. There’s 
bad people among the rich, and there’s bad people among 
the poor. But it’s not riches nor poverty that makes ’em 
bad ; it’s the koind o’ heart they’ve got inside of ’em.” 


CHAPTEK XIY. 

THE STORY OUR GRANDFATHERS TODD. 

In the process of development with most young 
people, there is usually a period when their friends and 
well-wishers are inclined to think that they ought to be 
put into a bandbox, and kept hidden from the public 
eye for the space of at least two or tliree years. It is 
when they are just entering the adolescent age ; the sea- 
son of scrawny girlhood and uproarious boyhood. 

We will pass gently over this period in the history of 
Katie and Waldemar, leaving them each in their re- 
spective bandbox until the time of their emergence 
P 


226 


THE WRECKERS. 


draweth nigh. Not that we would lead the reader to infer 
that either experienced this condition in all its fulness. 
The child, who had inherited her high-born mother’s 
beauty and her father’s nobility of nature, never ceased 
to appear attractive ; the morning star is beautiful, only 
it will not compare with the morning sun. In all this 
world there is nothing so entrancing as the early woman- 
hood of a pure and graceful woman. Such was Katie at 
the age of seventeen. 

Neither had Waldemar ever been particularly uproari- 
ous ; but the bandbox was not without its uses, even for 
him. If I were to lift its cover high enough for the 
reader to look within, he might perhaps see an occasional 
black eye or bloody nose received in some fight with 
another fellow.” He might possibly, as from the ven- 
triloquist’s box in the museum, hear some vociferous 
shouting as to whether or not that ball was a foul. So, 
as I do not wish to prejudice the public in reference to 
this young man, I will simply, with the kind permis- 
sion of the audience,” keep on the lid and mark it 
charity as, after some years of experience, I have 
learned to do under similar circumstances in real life. 
Those of us who have tried it have thus .far never lost 
anything by always hoping for the best. I trust the 
reader may not be disappointed by following the same 
plan in reference to the gentlemanly young bruiser who 
now engages our attention. 

One or two instances, however, I will relate, once 
more with the kind permission of the audience,” sim- 
ply because of their connection with the events which 
are to follow. 

When Katie was fourteen she entered the high school. 


THE WRECKERS, 


227 

aldemar was then in the third year of his studies in 
the same institution. Of course he belonged to the 
base ball nine, and was one of the best players among 
them. They were to have a match with the Grovetown 
Highflyers/^ and whatever spare time they could find 
was devoted to practising for the coming contest. Near 
the building was a large field where they assembled for 
this purpose, before the duties of the day began and 
after they were finished. One morning Katie was on 
her way to school when the boys were practising in the 
field. Waldemar chanced to be handling the bat, and 
just as she was passing he struck the ball with all his 
might. Before they could scarcely cry out it had shot 
past the first base, and with fearful momentum had 
knocked the child senseless to the ground. Terror- 
stricken they all rushed to where she lay, scarcely know- 
ing what to do. In a moment Waldemar, grasping the 
situation, pushed through their midst, and, lifting her in 
his arms, carried her to the house of a physician near at 
hand. The blow, while it was severe for the time, 
proved not to be a dangerous one, though the missile 
had struck just above the temple. 

We can be very thankful it did not fall two inches 
below,’^ remarked the physician, while applying the 
bandage. 

The young man hastened away to secure a carriage to 
convey her home. Of course he could not but call the 
next day to see how she was ; and the next, and the 
next. The third day, when he stopped on his way to 
school, he found her so far recovered that she was start- 
ing out for herself ; so they walked on together. 

It was in this way Cupid began his mischievous 


228 


THE WRECKERS. 


pranks, tkougli, like the sly little youngster that he is, 
he kept himself carefully concealed and did not permit- 
the tip of his arrow to appear from behind the trees ; so 
that for a considerable time neither Katie nor Waldemar 
entertained the slightest suspicion that he was anywhere 
in the vicinity. It was quite surprising, however, how 
frequently the most convenient route to Waldemar’s des- 
tination, in whatever part of the city it might chance to 
be, led him directly in front of the Russell mansion. 
Of course there was no design on his part in all this, 
and the habit of passing that way did not come into ex- 
istence at once; it did not spring into being, like Mi- 
nerva from the head of Jupiter, full grown. It came, 
rather, like the opium-eating habit, by very delicate de- 
grees; but like that same usage, it was very despotic 
when at last it made its presence known. By the time 
some weeks had gone by, even if his direct route lay in 
an exactly opposite direction, he was deeply impressed 
with the fact that he needed more exercise than the or- 
dinary walk would afford ; a growing young man like 
himself required to be out-doors, so that he quite severely 
chided himself on his sedentary habits, though no one 
who was at all acquainted with his record on the ball 
field would have thought of* attributing that propensity 
to him in the slightest degree. Such thoughts, however, 
were only temporary even in his own mind; for when it 
so chanced, as it did on his way to school, that the near- 
est route led him in that direction, he never could find 
time under any circumstances to take a longer path, but 
always kept to the straight way leading directly past her 
house. Of course he seldom saw the two bright eyes at 
the window which soon learned to watch for his coming. 


THE WRECKERS, 


229 


but I may say they were there just the same. Fre- 
quently after leaving her, when they had walked home 
from school together, he would whisper to himself, — 
She has more sense than the rest of them. She is 
going to make a fine woman when she grows up, if she 
don’t get spoiled like all the others.” 

The match between the high school nine and the Grove- 
town Highflyers had at length come olf, and the former 
had been defeated. Perhaps it was for this reason that 
Waldemar did not take exactly the same interest in the 
game as he had experienced formerly. He seldom waited 
after school now to practise, but always met Katie some- 
where along the route, by mere accident, and they walked 
on together, as their homes were near one another on tlie 
same street. 

About a year after these occurrences, the time ap- 
proached for the class to which he belonged to graduate. 
He was not the valedictorian ; the young man who was 
had earned the position honestly, but he never earned 
anything else to speak of as long as he lived. The class 
prize had been with him, as it has been with so many 
others before him, an end instead of a means ; and when 
that was won, the apex of the young man’s earthly ex- 
istence was reached. He carried that glory with him 
through life, and died ultimately while keeping boarders. 
Waldemar stood the third in his class, but he graduated 
with a good chest and a sound frame. Often in after- 
years he was accustomed to say, When the real fight of 
life began, the valedictorian in my class found he had 
used up all his ammunition in the drill-room while firing 
at the target. I had used enough to learn to shoot, but 
fortunately had saved some for the battle.” 

20 


230 


THE WRECKERS, 


Among the beautiful flowers which were handed up to 
him on that triumphant day was a little bouquet of white 
roses sprinkled with jessamine, which he prized more 
than all the rest. The card attached to it showed the 
name of Katie Eussell in her own handwriting. It was 
the first written communication of any kind which he had 
ever received from her. He felt half ashamed of him- 
self for caring for it. 

She’s only a little girl,” he said. I am eighteen and 
she but fifteen. What right have I to think of her ?” 

But he thought of her nevertheless. And when he 
went away to college he carried the card with him, and 
many a time after the lessons of the day were finished 
did he bring it forth and spend a little while in dreaming 
over it. 

Once during that first year of his absence Mrs. Rus- 
sell called on his mother, Mrs. Grant, and took Katie 
with her. It was a delightful day in summer, and her 
hostess proposed a walk through the garden. They came 
to an old tree and sat down beneath its branches. 

This is a most picturesque spot,” remarked Mrs. 
Russell. ‘^I see you have steps leading up into the 
branches.” 

^^Yes, that is some work of Waldemar’s. He was 
always delighted to be busy in the garden and among 
the trees.” 

Katie climbed up the stairs. At their summit there 
was a rustic bower so arranged as to be almost hidden 
from those standing below. With a sigh she sat down 
and looked about her, and listened to the birds singing, 
and the brook only a little distance off rippling merrily 
on its way. She had heard nothing from Waldemar 


THE WRECKERS. 


231 


since he had left, except such stray bits of news as might 
pass current between the two families. She felt very 
lonely, and fell to wondering whether he ever tliought 
of her any more. While engaged in these meditations, 
her eye fell upon some initials cut in the bark. She 
stood up that she might decipher them : K. E. The 
voice of her mother just then was heard calling her from 
below, and telling her it was time to go home. 

Yes, mamma,^’ she answered. 

As she descended the steps, the birds seemed to sing 
more cheerfully and the brook to ripple more musically 
than they ever had before. 

Since then another year had passed. The bandbox 
period was now over. She was seventeen and he twenty. 
It was his second vacation which he was spending at 
home. There was no longer any need for him to hide his 
interest in Katie ; for the test of time had assured him of 
its reality, though it was sometimes a very perplexing 
question with him how he, who had thus far stood like 
the leader of a Greek chorus, taking no part in such 
foolishness himself, but only making remarks while 
watching those who did, should fall in love at all. Most 
of his youthful acquaintances had already had six Dianas, 
at whose feet they had prostrated themselves, some of 
them when hardly out of pinafores, and in it all he had 
only discovered sport for the sportful. 

“ I never thought a young school-girl would ever have 
any influence over me,^’ he remarked. But then she 
isnft like the rest of them.” (By the way, what an orig- 
inal discovery that is, when each of us, in reference to 
our own chosen one, makes it for the first time !) “ I 

suppose that love, when it does come, is all the worse 


232 


THE WRECKERS. 


to a fellow like me, who has never pretended to know 
much about it anyway. It^s like the smallpox : most 
dangerous to the man that has never been vaccinated with 
the virus. Perhaps if I had had a touch of the vario- 
loid I should not be so bad now.’^ 

He could not tell whether his affection was returned, 
but he could guess. And that is the kind of a riddle 
which most men are not poor at guessing. So he guessed, 
and, as the result, he found it necessary to go almost 
every evening to Mr. PusselPs house to study again the 
terms of the conundrum. 

The house stood back from the street, and a spreading 
lawn separated it from the too curious gaze of the passers- 
by. One still evening in autumn, after he had been 
diligently studying the riddle for many weeks, he and 
Katie were sitting together on the front veranda. An 
old elm stood near by, and a morning-glory, twining 
itself about the trunk, had run up into the branches. 

What a fine old tree said he, looking up. 

What do you think of the flowers it bears 

They belong to the vine.’^ 

^‘But the vine belongs to the tree,’^ she answered, 
playfully. 

And so you think the flowers belong to the tree ?’’ 

Do they not?'' 

Why, yes, if you say so. I wouldn't contradict a 
lady, you know;" 

After a moment's pause he continued, — 

suppose, according to Swedenborg's doctrine of 
correspondences, everything in nature represents some 
spiritual truth. I wonder what that would represent ?" 

‘^Beauty and strength?" suggested Katie. 


THE WRECKERS. 


233 


“ Yes ; the beauty of a woman and the strength of a 
man.’^ 

Then we’ll have to call them brother and sister.” 

Well, not exactly hesitating. 

^^Why not?” 

Because,” he continued, they seem so thoroughly 
contented. My observation is, that a brotherly elm is 
always prancing off after some other vine ; and the sis- 
terly vine concludes to throw out her flowers for some 
other elm.” 

“ Indeed ? I have never had a brother, so I cannot 
tell. You ought to know. I suppose I should be left 
to bloom alone if I had a dozen.” 

I know one who would not be such an one as that.” 
He leaned forward, resting one arm on the iron railing 
and the other on his knee. She glanced up quickly for 
a moment, and his eyes were looking earnestly into hers. 

One who thought he never should care for woman ; 
who looked upon them all as butterflies, having little 
thought or interest in that which was real ; but who has 
been taught his error by the silent influence of a noble 
life. I think you can guess his name, Katie, can you 
not ?” 

Then you want me to be your sister ?” 

Well — no — I cannot say that.” 

You are very complimentary, certainly. Why not?” 

He leaned forward again and took her hand in his, as 
he answered quietly, but with the deepest feeling, — 

Because that would prevent my hoping that you 
might ever become my wife.” 

Kow I am aware that, according to the authority of 
very many novelists, she ought to have arched her 
20 * 


234 


THE WRECKERS. 


neck/’ and have drawn back with distended nostrils.” 
At the risk of being counted heterodox, however, I am 
compelled to state that this young lady did nothing of 
the kind. At the still further risk of being doubly 
dyed in heterodoxy, I am forced to declare that I do not 
believe anybody else ever did. It cannot be done. Sit- 
ting alone in the library one day, with one of these 
novels open at the affectionate page, the writer made a 
personal experiment of trying to arch his neck” accord- 
ing to directions, and the only result of his experiment 
was a complete failure, with threatened curvature of the 
spine. So he ceased his efforts, and reached the convic- 
tion that the novelists must be mistaken. 

Katie did not arch her neck at all. She did not even 
try. She simply looked up, as many of our mothers and 
grandmothers have before, with a sweet, pure, innocent 
smile, and just a little pressure of Waldemar’s hand. 
But he knew what it meant ; and the summer winds 
swept through the leaves of the old elm, so that the tree 
and the vine waved in benediction ; and the rocking of 
the branches awoke some birds who had gone to sleep in 
their nests, so that they began to chirp ; and the moon 
looked down and smiled over all. And they were very 
happy. 


THE WRECKERS. 


235 


CHAPTER Xy. 

there’s nothing half so sweet in eife as love’s 

YOUNG DREAM. 

That night, after Waldemar had returned home and 
all the members of the family had retired to their rooms, 
Katie sat for a long time on the side of her bed, with her 
hands clasped, deeply involved in thought. On first 
entering her apartments she had let down her hair and 
removed her dress. Xow as she sat there in her white 
garments, the moonlight streaming in upon her and il- 
luminating her face, her golden locks falling in graceful 
disorder about her shoulders and arms, Mrs. Felix her- 
self could scarcely have recognized the little waif, with 
the pinched and frightened face, whom once she haunted 
like a tigePs ghost. 

She looked like a beautiful spirit, and she felt like one. 
The old world with its clods and its rumblings had passed 
away ; and it seemed as though she were being carried 
in tender arms through some far-off realm, where there 
were no more heartaches nor feverish anxieties ; where 
all troubles had ceased, and quiet voices sang of peace 
and rest for evermore. Is there anything more delicious 
than the dreaming of that first love ? 

She thought of the vision which came to her long ago, 
on that cold night in her lonely garret, of the angel 
child, and of how she had said, I cannot take you with 
me yet, but I will soon. Come and I will go with you, 
and then I must return beyond the skies, for ftis very 


236 


THE WRECKERS. 


beautiful where I dwell, and you shall dwell there too, 
but not yet.’^ 

She remembered the barren plain with the grim moun- 
tains staring down, and then the sunlight which shone 
about her afterwards ; and she whispered to herself, Is 
it, then, all true, and am I there at last 

Blessed hallucination of us all, that we are ever mis- 
taking the waters of Elim for the ripple of the Jordan : 
fancying the mirage of the desert beyond is the land of 
Canaan ! Who of us could have courage for to-morrow 
if it were not for these day-dream hours ; if we could see 
all which lies before us, and could know indeed that the 
wilderness may be so long, and the promised land so far 
away ? 

As the time approached for Waldemar to return to his 
college, many were the delightful walks which they took 
together. Groveland, a beautiful city and true to its ap- 
pellation, was surrounded with woods and parks, abound- 
ing in shaded drives and quiet leafy nooks,* and little 
tumbling, laughing rills. The foliage was beginning to 
change its color, and much of it had fallen. They were 
halcyon days which they spent, wandering together under 
the old trees, the dead leaves rustling beneath their feet 
and the branches whispering gently above them. Nor 
were their talks mere lovers’ sighings ; Waldemar always 
had something new to tell of the stones and the wild- 
flowers which they met in their pathway. 

Look,” he said one day, when they had seated them- 
selves in a quiet little dell by the side of a brook, here 
are some pebbles that are well rounded, and here are 
some which are angular. These are round because they 
have been severely handled by the waters and the rough 


THE WRECKERS. 


237 


edges have been ground off ; and these are angular be- 
cause they Ve had a good quiet time all by themselves, 
and have not known what it meant to be tumbled about. 
Then he added, thoughtfully, “ I guess in the end a fel- 
low isn’t hurt very much by having to rough it through 
the world.” 

‘‘ Do you speak from experience ?” 

No, not exactly.” And he looked at her with a smile, 
as though to suggest that the waves of tribulation were 
not very cruel to him at that present moment. But 
I’ve noticed that the fellows in college who seem to stand 
for very much are almost always the fellows who have to 
hoe potatoes to pay their way through. Do you know,” 
he added, in his enthusiastic way, lifting his hand to give 
emphasis to his speech, I sometimes almost envy them. 
They are a great deal more likely to do something in life 
than those of us who have everything provided.” 

Self-made men ?” 

No, they are not self-made men, for their poverty is 
a constant incentive. The self-made man is the one who 
isn’t urged on by any such goad, but who, with every 
temptation which wealth and leisure afford, becomes 
something, when all his circumstances are telling him 
that he needn’t do it if he doesn’t choose to. He is 
the man most worthy of honor ; Charles Sumner, for 
example.” 

So you are afraid you will not amount to anything 
because you have not had enough trouble. You think 
you were born too rich. It’s a good thing to know it ; 
the battle’s half won if you know the danger.” 

^^Well, I do know it; thanks to the father who 
brought me up ; and I pray God every day that I may 


238 


THE WRECKERS. 


become as poor as a church mouse, if it ^11 give me more 
grit. I don’t want my soil to be so rich that the root 
will rot.” 

He stooped and plucked some golden-rod which grew 
at their feet, and continued, as he held it up : Do you 
know why we have so many beautiful blossoms in these 
northern woods? It’s because there’s just enough sun- 
shine and moisture to encourage them, and not enough 
to destroy them. When you pass through a tropical 
forest you don’t see many flowers. The sap is all used 
up in the leaves and branches, so there isn’t enough left 
to feed the blossom, and it doesn’t grow. It has too 
much sunshine and moisture ; it’s what the gardeners 
call ^ running all to leaf.’ Katie,” and his eyes glowed, 
I want to be something ; and I’m willing to pay the 
price if need be. I want my life to flower, so that when 
I’m gone I may leave something behind me the mem- 
shall be noble and true and real, even 
e mignonette, I shall begin to die in the 

At last these happy days were over. Waldemar had 
returned to his duties in the college, and Katie once more 
had resumed the routine life which makes up nine-tenths 
of the existence even of the heroine of a novel. Now 
it was the time for her to live in the memory of those 
delightful days. With her little phaeton she would 
often drive through the same roads, where every turn 
reminded her of him. Here was an old tree where 
they had stopped that he might describe to her how 
the roots, in the shady, sandy soil, had to go farther 
for their food than those in other places, where the 


ory of which 
though, \like t] 
blossoming” 


THE WRECKERS. 


239 


earth was moist and full of nutriment ; just as/’ he had 
said, a family living in the midst of poverty must work 
harder than another living in the midst of wealth.” 
Here was where he had plucked a stem and told her of 
how the tree breathed through its leaves, which at the 
same time acted in the capacity of lungs and stomach 
and heart. 

These are little things,” he had repeated, but the 
tree is like the rest of us : it depends for the sweetness 
of its life upon little things.” 

Sometimes she would fasten her pony at the same spot 
where he had been accustomed to fasten it for her, and 
wander along the same lonely paths, and rest on the 
same rustic bench where they had sat together. 

How patiently she wrote and rewrote her letters to 
him before sending them olf ! And after she had sent 
them, how she recalled them as she lay awake, and 
sought to discover some foolish thing she had said, or 
some word she had chanced to misspell ! And when the 
answer came and she hurried away that none might see 
her read it, how the blood tingled as she blushed, even 
there by herself, when her eyes feasted upon the opening 
words My darling” ! And when the postman came on 
the expected day, and brought nothing from him, how 
her heart sank, and she wondered what she might do to 
cause the time to pass rapidly until he should call again 
on his next round ! 

His letters were not like hers. He never thought of 
copying them as she did. He wrote as he felt at the 
moment, and there was no counting on what the next 
epistle would be. There was, in fact, as much diversity 
between his notes at different times as there was between 


240 


THE WRECKERS. 


William Cowper’s hymns and his interesting ballad of 
John Gilpin. Of course this element of surprise made 
them doubly interesting to Katie, as she never could 
know what to expect, except that each missive would be 
filled with the spirit of tenderness and buoyancy and 
good cheer. Sometimes he quoted poetry, but not very 
often ; and even when he did, he would very likely turn 
it into parody before completing the quotation. Occa- 
sionally she wished that they dealt more in sentiment; 
but though they usually were flavored with a certain 
amount of that ingredient, his sense of merriment gen- 
erally spoiled it all, or left it incomplete, while he ran 
on to tell of some mishap which had befallen one of the 
profs,^^ or of the last prank played by the students. 

As she sits in her room on one of these days when 
the expected letter has not arrived, seeking to comfort 
herself in her disappointment by rereading the old ones, 
perhaps we can steal unseen behind her chair and look 
over her shoulder. The first two pages she has already 
read and laid aside, so we shall have to begin just here 
in the middle : 

By the way, you remember we were talking one day 
as we sat in the woods about the pebbles, and of how 
they were rounded by the action of the water and the 
rough places ground off ; and we compared it to the ex- 
periences of men about us. We have here, as janitor, 
an irascible Englishman, who at the present time, under 
the treatment of the boys, is undergoing that delightful 
process from day to day. 

‘^Of course I do not pretend to notice it, as I am 
now a junior, and shall next year be a ^ grave and 
reverend senior but I sometimes find it very hard to 


THE WRECKERS. 


241 


maintain any appearance of dignity in the presence of 
the hilarious freshmen and sophs, when they are detailing 
some of his experiences, and imitating his peculiarities 
of manner and expression. I suppose it is allowable 
for even a dignified junior to laugh quietly and all to 
himself. You know the lecturer told us in the lecture 
that even a clergyman, when he got away from home 
and felt sure no one could see him, might sometimes 
be found following an organ-grinder with a monkey for 
several blocks. 

The other day some of the students placed themselves 
under his bed, just before he was about to retire ; and 
when his deep breathings assured them that ^ Nature^s 
sweet restorer’ had made him oblivious to surrounding 
objects, they lifted their backs against one side of the 
bed, and gradually raised themselves up, so that the 
mattress formed an inclined plane. Of course he rolled 
off, and they in the darkness jumped out of the window, 
which was on the ground-floor, before he had an oppor- 
tunity to discover them. 

The most amusing part of it all was, that when he had 
been living in South America, several years ago, he had 
been fearfully frightened by an earthquake ; and on this 
occasion, when he came to himself, he concluded that this 
had been a repetition of the same kind of an adventure^ 
so he rushed out into the field, and sat up all night long 
waiting for another quake. In the morning some of the 
students met him, and he was full of his experiences. 
They told him the real cause of the disturbance, and he 
swore vengeance against the guilty parties if he could 
discover them. They pretended to pacify him, and 
advised him to appear ignorant that anything unusual 


242 


THE WRECKERS. 


had occurred, and in case the students asked him liow 
he slept, simply to reply that he was not inclined to sleep. 
Of course he didn’t see any double meaning in it, and 
accordingly made that reply to all the questionings of 
the boys during the day, and was each time filled with 
surprise and wrath that they should immediately burst 
into a roar of laughter. When one of the theologues 
from the seminary asked him at what angle he was in- 
clined, it dawned upon him that they were making game 
of him, and he strode olf exclaiming, — 

^ By Jocks ! Hi thought Hi was cornin’ to a min- 
isterial hinstitute ; but hit’s a reg’lar ’ell on hearth.’ 

Yesterday they did what seemed almost cruel, but it 
was very funny. It was St. Patrick’s day, and from 
time immemorial the boys have been accustomed to select 
it for a frolic. He had just brought in a load of wood, 
and left it standing outside in the cart while he went 
in to quietly enjoy his breakfast. In the mean time 
about twenty of them took the load, piece by piece, and 
carried it up into the cupola of the college building. 
Then they took apart the cart and carried that up in the 
same way ; after which they put it all together again and 
loaded it. When he came out and looked for his wagon, 
and saw it just as he had left it, only apparently carried 
through the air and landed on the top of the building, 
his wrath and astonishment knew no bounds. 

‘ By Jocks !’ he said, ‘ boys, I believe in fun. But, 
by Jocks, that’s carry in’ a joke too far.’ 

They asked him if he would have been better pleased 
if they had carried it only to the third story. While he 
was standing there gesticulating and promising ail sorts 
of judgment for ^ the hidle youngsters,’ some of them 


THE WRECKERS. 


243 


came to the conclusion that he needed to be cooled off ; 
so they went to the top story and emptied a whole bucket 
of water down on him. He was too hot, however, to 
receive it with any advantage ; it only turned to steam 
and caused an explosion. It seemed to have washed off 
all his angles in a moment, as he bowled off toward the 
stairs leading to the third story. They had been expect- 
ing this result, and, with a degree of generalship which 
promises well for this country if ever it shall again be in 
need of officers to lead it to glory, they had prepared for 
an attack. At the top of the last stairway they had 
stationed an old stove, and piled by its side a large amount 
of pipe. Then they stood waiting the approach of the 
enemy. Presently it was whispered, ^ Here he comes,’ as 
they heard his ejaculations from below, gradually grow- 
ing louder, and the clatter made by the many feet which 
Avere following at his heels. The flights are situated one 
beneath another, so that those coming up cannot see what 
may be on the stairs above them till they are just about to 
ascend. On he comes, like Robert Burns’s toothache, — 

‘ Wi’ gnawing vengeance ; 

Tearing his nerves wi’ bitter pang, 

Like racking engines I’ 

Now he turns round to ascend, two steps at a time. 
His coat-tails stand out straight, and his breathings are 
heavy and hot. A few more such manly bounds and 
justice will be satisfled. The staircase is exceptionally 
long, and he is two-thirds toward the top. Suddenly he 
hears an awful racket, and looking up, he discovers that 
the old stove and stove-pipe are making very encourag- 
ing progress toward the bottom. What shall he do? 


244 


THE WRECKERS. 


Achilles himself would not like under such circum- 
stances to run into a ^Sunshine 'No. 15/ For a mo- 
ment he falters, but time is precious and events are 
pressing. 

‘ His not to question why, 

His not to make reply.’ 

His but to get out of that locality just as precipitately 
as he possibly can. 

The eagerness with which he approached was only 
the crawling of a snail compared with the eagerness with 
which he now goes in the other direction. He came up 
two steps at a time, and he goes down three. He puts 
his whole mind on it. He realizes that the other party 
is going him one better, and coming down four. He 
would like to ^ pass begins to think that he has a ^ mis- 
deal,’ but the other party is ^ forcing him,’ and it looks 
very much as though the game were going to prove a 
^ rubber.’ He sighs for ‘ Hold Hengland,’ and shoots 
on. But alas ! How vain are all human efforts when 
competing with destiny ! ^ Sunshine No. 15’ beats him, 

and comes out ahead. Fortunately, however, it did not 
come on his head ; he saved that for his own use, and 
landed there himself. 

“ For a few moments he lay among the ruins ; then he 
permitted himself to be led away by some of the specta- 
tors, and as he hung loose and limp in their stalwart 
arms he was heard to exclaim, — • 

^By Jocks ! Hif these are to be the future minis- 
ters of Hamerica, by Jocks, the Lord ’ave mercy on 
the churches !’ 

“ Hello ! there goes the dinner-bell. Good-by, dar- 


THE WRECKERS. 


245 


ling; I must hurry down to the hall. I hope for 
chicken, but I fear something else. 

Hear it not, Duncan, for ^tis the knell, that sum- 
mons thee to heaven or else to — hash.’ ” 

Though in his letters to Katie, Waldemar might laugh 
at these occurrences, and even among the students them- 
selves might show his amusement at whatever there was 
in them which was ridiculous, nevertheless he did not 
hesitate to condemn them and to refuse any participation 
in them. 

'H’ll run with the swiftest of you,” he would say, 
^^and you know nobody enjoys a good bout with the 
gloves or a game of ball more than I do ; but I don’t 
think much of that wit which is like a wasp’s, where all 
the strength is in its sting.” 

Ah, but we must have some fun !” 

That’s all right. Have all the fun you can ; and 
yet I don’t believe a truly noble fellow will find fun in 
that which wilfully gives pain to another.” 

But weren’t you one of those who got into Fergu- 
son’s room when he was asleep, and put molasses in his 
pants, when you were a Soph yourself? And didn’t you 
laugh as heartily as any when the boys called fire, and 
he jumped into them, and got all stuck up ?” 

^‘Yes, I did. But that was because he was, meta- 
phorically, ^ stuck up’ beforehand. And I believe that 
he ought to be convinced of what a disagreeable con- 
dition it is. There’s a difference between doing these 
things when you really want to take a fellow down for 
his own good, and when you do it simply for the sport 
of laughing at his discomfort. Ferguson, as you know, 
is a very different kind of a boy than he was before. I 
21 * 


246 


THE WRECKERS. 


believe that one of tlie chief advantages of college life is 
that the conceited fellow gets the conceit knocked out of 
him ; and every man’s a proper prey for his own benefit, 
I say. Besides that, our class did that to him because 
he was the ringleader among those who tossed poor help- 
less Johnny Gorham in a blanket until he became sick ; 
and they called that fun. Think of taking a young 
fellow, timid and shrinking, who has scarcely ever been 
beyond the farm, and has just come among us for the 
first time, and then hazing him, and finding sport in his 
terror and pain ! I say it’s brutal ; and the fellow who 
did it deserved everything he got. And he who can 
stand by and see a game of that kind going on and not 
feel indignant, isn’t half a man. If I understand man- 
liness, it consists not only in loving what is good, but in 
hating what is mean. I don’t care a cent for virtue if 
it hasn’t any fight in it when it sees a wrong.” 

Thus the year rolled round until, in due time, autumn 
came again, and then a repetition of the long strolls and 
confidential talks ; of whispered vows which the rustling 
trees repeated, and which the brooks laughed at while 
they rippled on their way. Then came the last year in 
college, which was passed very much as the others had 
been, only bringing with it perhaps an added sense of 
responsibility, causing the letters which Katie received 
to deal less with fun, and to show a deeper seriousness 
than had been shown before. 

What should he do after his graduation ? Waldemar 
was eager to be at some life-work ; and when a young 
man of twenty-two is engaged to be married to a beauti- 
ful young lady of nineteen, it is really surprising how 
easily he is convinced that the world will rapidly go to 


THE WRECKERS. 


247 


rack and ruin unless he throws his energies into its midst 
to rescue it at once. Mr. Grant, however, was a man of 
sturdy sense, and put forth every effort to induce his son 
to improve the opportunities which his youth afforded 
him, before entering upon the trying duties of profes- 
sional life. 

It is very true,’’ he wrote, “ that education alone 
cannot make a man ; if a man’s a man, he’s a man for 
a’ that, and if he isn’t a man, then for a’ that he isn’t 
a man. It can’t turn pine timber into hickory, but it 
can teach him how to carve the timber that he’s got.” 
He himself had never had the training which he wanted 
Waldemar to have, but he had sound sense ; he was an 
educated man, though not a learned one. 

After the young man had gone through considerable 
of a struggle, the counsels of his father prevailed. They 
had all the more weight because he scarcely felt as yet 
that he was ready to decide on his profession. It was a 
sad day for Katie when the letter arrived from him stat- 
ing that he had determined, after his next visit home, to 
go to Germany, and that he should probably not returm 
for three years. She only needed to be assured that it 
was wise, however, to acquiesce in it most heartily. 
When people have had as much experience as she had 
had in her short life, disappointments cannot disappoint 
very much. Such people seldom formulate a plan with- 
out ending the last sentence with an interrogation-mark. 
A man has lived to little purpose if he can be very much 
surprised after thirty. And with her, forty years had 
been compressed into nineteen. So after a few days of 
secret sorrow, she wrote a letter to him full of hope and 
cheer. She slyly told him that it was a wise decision for 


248 


THE WRECKERS. 


him to tarry at J ericho until his beard be grown.’’ The 
time would pass rapidly, for they could write every week ; 
and three years, after all, were not very many out of a 
lifetime. 

^^And so they fell by thousands, — those unnamed 
demigods !” exclaimed Kossuth, in telling, thirty years 
ago, of the silent courage of his countrymen. And yet 
they had the noise of the battle to urge them on. What 
shall we say of those women who, in silence so profound 
that the only sound they hear is the heavy throbbing of 
their own hearts, with smiling faces meet the disappoint- 
ments and the battle-shocks of life, that they may bring 
strength and cheer to those who stand beside them in the 
fight? We do not have to look very far for heroines. 
Have you ever thought. Friend, that perhaps there may 
be one seated over against you at your own table ? 


CHAPTEE XYL 

“ A JEWEL OF GOLD IN A SWINE’S SNOUT.” 

So Waldemar is going to Germany,” exclaimed Mr. 
Eussell, with a sly glance over at Katie, as they were 
seated at breakfast one morning. 

Nothing had been said to him concerning the engage- 
ment, as nobody was supposed to know of it except Mrs. 
Eussell, from whom the young girl never concealed any- 
thing. But many a less shrewd man has concluded 
without having to be told, when a young gentleman has 
had occasion to call several times each week to show his 


THE WRECKERS. 


249 


horses to a young lady, and to get her judgment concern- 
ing their speed for two or three hours at an outing, that 
in all probability they were making arrangements with 
old Father Time to let them have a chaise out of his 
own stable, which should carry them both to the end of 
the journey. 

When Mr. Russell made the above remark, Katie 
was exceeding desirous to appear indifferent, and so, like 
most young ladies under such circumstances, blushed all 
over her face. The piece of beef on her plate, moreover, 
suddenly proved to be very tough (it was in fact the ten- 
derloin), and required all her attention to see that it was 
properly cut. 

What do you think of my going with him ?” asked 
Mrs. Russell, who had long been contemplating a journey 
to Carlsbad on account of her health. 

Katie looked up inquiringly. Mr. Russell, who had 
been mindful for some time of his wife’s failing strength, 
and to whom the physician had expressed his judgment 
that the German baths would do her good, toyed with 
his fork thoughtfully, and then said, as though still 
deliberating, — 

Possibly it may be the wisest thing to do. I have 
been trying to arrange my business so that we might go 
together. I almost thought I had succeeded, but these 
inflammatory speeches which have recently been delivered 
in our city cause me to fear that there may be trouble 
ahead which might demand my presence.” 

Mrs. Russell made no reply, for she saw that he was 
engaged in meditation. After a few moments he con- 
tinued, — 

There are a great many men out of work now ; mul- 


250 


THE WRECKERS. 


titudes among them have lived from hand to mouth, 
never saving anything, and these times make them des- 
perate. They are simply waiting, in their ignorance and 
prejudice, to be set on fire by some such fanatics as have 
been permitted to address them recently. If those 
speeches had been delivered in any country in Europe, 
the men who uttered them would have been imprisoned 
1 / or hung ; and that justly. It seems strange to me that 
the government will punish a man for inciting one indi- 
vidual to one murder, and permit scores of criminals, 
who have been banished from their own country for 
their seditions, to incite multitudes to wholesale robbery 
and assassination. I think that is an instance where the 
boasted liberty of speech may descend into license. Why, 
look at it,’^ he continued, becoming so much interested in 
his subject that he forgot the text from which he started, , 
in that incendiary fire of a fortnight ago there was over 
a million of dollars’ worth of property which went up in 
smoke. If these were not insane, they would realize 
that the poorer the city becomes in which they live the 
poorer they must become. If they, by their wickedness, 
make it unsafe for employers to continue in business, 
what’s going to become of their wages? That’s an illus- 
tration in point, of which I heard yesterday. John 
Roberts has been in the lumber business for twenty 
years, but he is going out of it since his stock has been 
burned up, because he says it’s no longer safe. There 
are over a hundred men whom he has been employing, 
representing more tlian four hundred people, when you 
include these men’s families, who in these most pressing 
times have had their bread taken right out of their 
mouths. And by whom? John Roberts? Not at all. 


THE WRECKERS. 


251 


By these travelling agitators, who have neither property 
nor reputation at stake, but who by their inflammatory 
speeches are saying to him, ^ You shank continue in busi- 
ness.’ And who does it hurt? John Roberts? Of 
course not. The fire was for him simply a good sale of 
his lumber ; he was fully insured, and did not lose a 
dollar. He received a cool hundred and fifty thousand 
from the companies within a week. He can take that 
money and go anywhere in the world where better pro- 
tection will be afforded for his property. No, the people 
who have been smitten, who must stay here and starve, 
are these four hundred men, women, and children. And 
yet those same folks, and others like them, will sit and 
drink in these pernicious doctrines of so-called socialism, 
but of what is in reality only a destructive bloody-handed 
communism, and make the rafters ring with their ap- 
plause of these travelling scoundrels. When I see these 
things I can believe that what Carlyle said of England is 
equally true of America, that ^ England had a population 
of thirty millions, — mostly fools.’ ” He took a drink 
of water in a nervous way as though to cool his indigna- 
tion, and then exclaimed, — 

But, dear me ! What were we talking about ? Oh, 
about your going to Europe with young Grant. Well, 
I think it a very good idea, provided you can get ready 
in time and secure a passage.” 

There will not be any trouble about it, I am told, 
because at this time in the year the tourists are all coming 
home, and the outward-bound vessels are comparatively 
empty.” 

I wish I could arrange to go with you. It will be 
pretty lonely for us both. It’s the first time we have 


252 


THE WRECKERS. 


ever been separated for so long since we were married, 
you know ; but if this little girl .will stay with me here,’^ 
and he smilingly looked at Katie, I guess we can man- 
age to get on without committing suicide/^ 

The little girl” looked up and smiled in return, but 
said nothing. Thus it was decided that Mrs. Kussell 
should accompany Waldemar as far as Carlsbad, and that 
Mr. Russell and Katie should stay at home, with the 
prospect of joining her as soon as his business might 
permit. 

During the winter, accordingly, Katie busied herself 
with her studies and her household work, seeking as best 
she could to fill the place of the one who had been a 
mother to her for all these years. And she succeeded 
well. Once she was left without a cook, but she neither 
sat down to cry nor had any occasion for doing so. 

In a world of such rapid changes as this every rich 

woman ought to be fitted for a poor man’s wife,” Mrs. 

Russell had often said. Solomon describes a true 

woman as ^ one that worketh with her hands,’ and the 

old Anglo-Saxon term from which the very word ^ lady’ 

was derived meant one wdio was the loaf- ward, the bread- 

' / 

guardian. A ^ spinster’ was the spinning woman of the 
family, and even though we live in different times than 
when the Emperor Augustus himself wore no other gar- 
ments than those which had been woven by his sister or 
wife or daughter, every woman ought to know thoroughly 
the work of her own home.” 

These remarks had been made at the table, and, on one 
occasion, had called forth the response from Mr. Russell 
that he knew more than one spinster who was faithful 
to the derivation of her name, even at the present day ; 


THE WRECKERS. 


253 


the only difference being that instead of staying at home 
and spinning yarn for herself, she went from house to 
house spinning yarns for the neighbors. And that, so far 
as his observation had extended, if the men of this gen- 
eration should depend in any great degree to the weaving 
ability of their wives for their garments, the costume of 
Adam before the fall would be very likely to become 
much more fashionable than it was at the present time.^’ 

For several years, one day in each week at least, Katie 
had had full charge of the culinary department. So she 
bustled about in an old dress, and by the time Mr. Kus- 
sell came home had the dinner smoking hot and daintily 
cooked, while the bread (that Scylla and Charybdis of 
the average cook) was done to a tempting light brown. 

When the Sabbath came, she took charge of the same 
class to which she had cOme on that memorable Sunday 
with Jane so long ago. She looked into the eager faces 
of the girls, and thought she saw herself, as she was then, 
in each one of them ; ancT she tried to ask herself, in ex- 
pounding the lesson, what would have been helpful to 
her in those days when the Sunday-school was the source 
of the happiest hours she enjoyed during the week. No 
wonder she proved so good a teacher that the superin- 
tendent determined that when Mrs. Russell should have 
returned he would persuade Katie to take a class of her 
own. The deepest lesson to be learned by every one who 
would be a guide to another is that success depends upon 
thoroughly putting himself in that other’s life. The 
greatest of all teachers took our infirmities and bare our 
sicknesses.” 

Thus the winter passed away, brightened by the recep- 
tion of letters every week from Mrs. Russell and Wal- 
22 


254 


THE WRECKERS. 


^demar, the latter of whom had settled down to faithful 
work in the university town of Heidelberg. 

Katie had hoped that by summer Mr. Eussell and her- 
self might be able to leave for Europe to join his wife, 
who had sufficiently improved to be able to travel through 
the continent. Of course they would visit the old town 
on the Necker, and Waldemar and she would have an 
opportunity of meeting once more. The young people 
often spoke of it in their letters, and could scarcely wait 
for the days to pass. Affairs in the city grew more 
threatening, however, than before, and Mr. Eussell would 
very often be detained in conference with his colleagues 
till late at night. 

‘^ No hope of going this summer, my dear,’’ he said 
one day as they talked together at the table. The city 
is full of bad men, and no one knows what a day may 
bring forth. Some of our own works have had to shut 
down temporarily ; but, thanks to the system with which 
we’ve been conducting them, our men have generally 
learned to save enough to tide them over for a good while 
yet. Some of the poorer ones among those turned out 
we’ve employed as special watchmen, though we have a 
number of volunteers who would have gladly guarded 
the premises for nothing. They are as much aroused 
about these incendiary fires occurring every day as we are. 
They realize that in a certain sense they are partners with 
us, and so feel as much interest in the works as we do our- 
selves. It is only another evidence that the right thing 
is always the wise thing. Other firms may have saved 
perhaps the bonus we have given our men in addition to 
the^ wages, but they stand a good chance of losing a great 
deal more than that bonus now. I don’t believe there 


THE WRECKERS. 255 

are ten men in our employ but would fight like tigers if 
the mob sought to attack us/’ 

‘^But how do your works differ from others, papa?” 

We differ from some others in this : that we are de- 
termined not to be simply just, but generous. We are 
not by any means alone in this. There are several 
firms in this country and Europe who are pursuing the 
same plan. Doubtless many others would, if they knew 
exactly how to get away from the old policy of organ- 
ized selfishness. We believe that, while we must deal 
summarily with the shiftless and the dissolute, letting 
each man understand that the world does not owe him a 
living unless he is willing to earn it, if one shows him- 
self worthy it always pays to pay that man more than 
we bargain to pay him in the beginning. That’s one 
feature. Another is that we mingle with our men, and 
let them feel that we’re all workers together. At our 
reunions there’s always a lecture included in the pro- 
gramme on some topic which will clearly explain these^ 
sophistries of communism. In other words, we treat 
our men like men, and not like things.” 

Won’t you be able to go away anywhere this sum- 
mer ?” / 

After a while, perhaps. You must go, any way, and 
I will follow if I can.” 

Where do you think we had better go ?” 

Well, let me see. We might go to Saratoga if we 
could start together, but we shall be obliged, I think, to 
go to some other place nearer home. I met Mr. DeCamp 
this morning, and he said that his wife was going to Trc^ . 
Hill. That would not be so very far away; you c'ould 
reach there in a few hours, and you and she might be 


256 


THE WRECKERS. 


company for one another. His financial troubles have 
evidently worn upon him greatly of late, though of 
course he did not say so. He said the doctor had told 
him to go away from business altogether ; but declared 
that he could not think of such a thing at present, unless 
absolutely compelled to. He will go up occasionally, 
however, as he can make it convenient.’^ 

Katie did not feel like objecting to the suggested ar- 
rangement of Mr. Russell, but did not look forward to 
it with any degree of pleasure. Since the days when 
Mrs. DeCamp had smiled upon her and introduced Wal- 
demar to her, a family misunderstanding had occurred 
between that woman’s husband and the father of the 
young man, w^ho had formerly been in business together. 
Laying asid^ the question as to the merits or demerits of 
the quarrel, Katie did not care to be compelled to asso- 
ciate with one whom she knew to be prejudiced against 
him she loved. She entertained very little admiration 
for Mrs. DeCamp even under the best circumstances. 
She reminded her of what Solomon says, that like a 
jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman 
without discretion.” But she made no objection to the 
plan, contenting herself with the suggestion that she need 
not necessarily be with her any more than she desired. 
So it was finally arranged that she should go to Troy 
Hill, and Mr. Russell should run up as often as he 
could. 

There is no need of depicting the various characters 
whom Katie met there. They were just such as may 
be seen at any summer hotel. There was the young 
man with the span new suit and the rattan cane, who 
had been shut up behind the counter for fifty weeks, and 


THE WRECKERS. 


257 


was now being wealthy for a fortnight ; after which he 
would return to his tape measure and his economy once 
more, comforting himself meanwhile with the prospect 
of having a reg’lar blowout next year.” There was 
the conventional mamma, who was out prospecting for 
her daughters; and the patient clergyman who, with 
fishing-rod in hand, would sit all day by the banks of 
the neighboring stream, and then come home at night, 
bringing with him in triumph one bull-head and a sun- 
fish. 

After they had been there about a week, Mrs. DeCamp 
burst into Katie’s room one morning without even stop- 
ping to rap. 

^^My darling girl,” she exclaimed, excuse me, but 
last evening I had such a delightful conversation with a 
gentleman who arrived the day before yesterday, that I 
had to come and tell you about it the first thing this 
morning. Oh, he’s just too lovely for anything !” lift- 
ing up both hands and wagging her head. ^^He’s a 
foreigner, with bright flashing eyes and a perfectly mag- 
nificent moustache. He saw you as you were playing 
croquet on the lawn, and he just seemed in love with 
you. He asked all about you, and what do you think ! 
He kept talking about you even after you had gone up 
to your room, and asked if you were engaged. Why, 
dear me, who knows but that we may have a wedding 
before the summer’s out.” And she laughed at the pros- 
pect of such a possibility, with the same glee with which 
a child welcomes from the garret an old toy which he 
has not seen for a long time. Clapping her hands, which 
had now become quite wrinkled, she exclaimed, ^^Oh, 
wouldn’t that be just too funny for anything?” 


258 


THE WRECKERS. 


Katie, who had a different opinion of the matter, did 
not seem as enthusiastic as Mrs. DeCamp had hoped and 
expected. For herself, she was sure that at her age 
(longer ago than she was willing to communicate) the 
tidings that a fine-looking gentleman had asked whether 
she was engaged would have been the very best news 
that she could have heard ; especially as Katie was get- 
ting along into the twenties, and (as she thought) had 
no prospect of marriage. But, then,^^ she was accus- 
tomed to say to Mr. DeCamp, Katie Bussell is such a 
queer girl. I don^t believe she’ll ever catch a husband 
in the world ; why, if I was her mother, I’d teach her 
to be on the lookout. How can anybody expect the 
young men to come around if nobody encourages them 
at all?” 

As they entered the elevator to descend to breakfast, 
Katie’s thoughts were engaged with topics very foreign 
to Mrs. DeCamp’s Ute-a-tete with the stranger. This 
was the day when a letter should arrive from Waldemar, 
and so she scarcely heard the chattering of her com- 
panion, who was still dwelling on the loveliness of the 
new-comer’s moustache, and the distinguished appearance 
which he presented with his swarthy skin, his curling 
hair, and his flashing eyes. 

When they entered the dining-room, Mrs. DeCamp 
looked eagerly about among the guests seated at the 
several tables to discover if he were among them. He 
was not, however, and so she unconsciously gave a few 
touches to her hair, and straightened out the little ribbon 
on her neck, that she might be as captivating as possible 
when he should enter. Of course there was no necessity 
for these little acts of scrupulous neatness, as everything 


THE WRECKERS. 


259 


had been carefully pinned in its place when the curl- 
papers were removed ; but the unconscious moment is the 
moment in which to discover the ruling passion. Then 
people will act themselves; like the soldier who had 
turned butler, but who, when he heard some one cry. 
Attention, company !’’ dropped the platter and broke 
all the dishes while assuming position. 

There he is ! There he is ! Look at him, quick, 
quick Mrs. DeCamp whispered, excitedly, putting 
down on her plate again the piece of chop which she 
was just conveying to her mouth, in order to nudge 
Katie under the table. 

When the young girl looked up, she saw a gentleman 
in the neighborhood of forty or forty-five, who came 
leisurely in, and seated himself at one of the tables. 
He was certainly a handsome man, dressed faultlessly, 
and with the air of a cosmopolitan who had seen every- 
thing there was to be seen, and had become somewhat 
blasL As he caught the eye of Mrs. DeCamp he smiled 
courteously, while returning her bow. The rest of the 
day passed away, as usual at such places, in reading, 
strolling, etc., but they saw nothing more of the new 
guest until after the six o’clock dinner. 

The two ladies had sauntered out on the porch, whicli 
was broad, and extended the whole length of the build- 
ing. Soon they heard music in the parlor; the piece 
was one of Chopin’s nocturnes. They sat down on a 
rustic seat near the window to listen. 

Whoever that is, he has good taste and understands 
expression,” said Katie. 

‘‘ Perfectly exquisite,” replied the other. Suppose we 
go in and see.” 


260 


THE WRECKERS. 


We had better stay here ; we can listen just as well, 
and see the sun set.’’ 

After a while the music died away, as though grad- 
ually receding into the distance, and ceased. The people 
who had been standing about the open doors of the par- 
lor applauded, and requested the player to continue. 

Why, I do believe it’s Signor Strabelli !” exclaimed 
Mrs. DeCamp, laying her hand on Katie’s wrist. That 
certainly sounded like his voice.” 

They listened, and heard him ask if there was any- 
thing else they would like him to play. 

Some one suggested a selection from Mendelssohn. 
Once more the strains flowed forth on the quiet summer 
evening air, and for once Mrs. DeCamp’s superlative 
was appropriately used. It was indeed exquisite.” 

That lady was now filled with excitement. ^^Come, 
we will see the sun set some other time ; let’s go inside,” 
she said, taking Katie’s hand in hers and partly rising. 
The other, however, steadily refused, though why she 
should do so, when Signor Strabelli had asked on the 
very first evening he had seen her whether she was en- 
gaged, was more than Mrs. DeCamp could account for. 

On the following Saturday Mr. DeCamp came up, 
utterly broken down, to remain for several weeks. The 
physician had at last peremptorily ordered it. It was 
impossible for his wife ever to dissemble, even if she 
wished to; whenever she attempted it, she was only 
like colored glass, through which one can easily see if 
he tries, and whose partial obscurity simply attracts all 
the more attention to itself. On this occasion, however, 
she did not make the effort. She was so constituted that 
whatever chanced to be uppermost in her mind generally 


THE WRECKERS. 


261 


revealed itself to whomsoever her companion might be 
at the time, with the strictest injunction, however, even 
though it was to the butcher or the hair-dresser, that 
they should not speak of it under any circumstances. 

Thus, her husband had not been with her long before 
he had learned all she knew about the stranger, and quite 
a number of things concerning which she did not know, 
but of which she felt assured that ske was very good 
at guessing. 

^^He must be a count, I’m certain,” she cried, enthu- 
siastically, with the air of one to whom a real live (pount 
was by no means the insignificant creatm’e John Bright 
would have us believe, when he says, they have reached 
the temple of honor, not through the temple of merit, 
but simply through the sepulchre of their ancestors.” 
So she clapped her wrinkled hands again, and exclaimed 
once more, — 

^‘He must be a count; I know it. He looks just 
like a prince, and what do you think ! He was talking 
to me yesterday about a beautiful villa that he owns in 
Italy just a little way out of Venice. Oh, Venice, 
Venice ! Think of it : and he speaks about the canals 
and the city just as though he had lived there all his 
life. I believe he has, and that now he’s travelling in 
disguise. Possibly he may be a refugee !” A refugee 
being to her poetic fancy a hero, without which no one 
of her novels would have been complete. 

Mr. DeCamp listened to her discourse as he stood at the 
dressing-table in his shirt-sleeves, shaving. He was not 
accustomed to say much at any time in response to her 
ebullitions of romantic feeling, but his present occupa- 
tion afforded him a better opportunity than usual of 


262 


THE WRECKERS. 


remaining quiet. In the mean time he half made up 
his mind that this mysterious character might be some 
adventurer, or perhaps some foreign gentleman humor- 
ously inclined, who had detected the weak spot in his 
wife’s character, and was having a little secret amuse- 
ment at her expense. He scarcely knew, therefore, 
whether to be vexed or not at the revelation of his 
confidential chats with Mrs. DeCamp. So he kept on 
shaving, expressing no opinion whatever, but quietly 
determining to decide for himself when he should have 
the opportunity. As she continued with the report of 
his excellencies and dwelt upon his musical abilities, he 
about concluded that he was some harmless egotist, who 
had perhaps yielded to his imagination in seeking to 
make himself appear at his best. 

I’ve always noticed,” he said, when she had finished, 
^Hhat a male musician seldom amounts to very much 
else. He puts so much brain into his hands, that he 
hasn’t much left for his head. Of course there are 

exceptions, and many of them ; but then ” 

At which she said, Oh, George, I think you’re real 
mean. There, now !” 


THE WRECKERS. 


263 


CHAPTEE XYII. 

WHO IS HE? 

What had become of Mike through all these years? 
Like all the rest of the world, he had grown somewhat 
older; but though he had many lonely hours, life was 
to him now more often a psalm tlian a dirge ; sometimes 
it seemed almost like a prelude for heaven. These were 
the days when Katie visited Sandy and Peggy and him- 
self. They still lived in the same place ; Sandy had 
grown too old for work, and so she never failed to come 
to them at least once a week, always leaving a little 
package of money behind, together with some delicacy 
for the old people, or other souvenir of her love. 

You’re not forgotten, Peggy,” she would say, and 
you never shall be while I live.” 

Hans had gone to Germany some years before, but 
not until he had learned from his friend of the finding 
of the child. Mike felt his departure keenly, but com- 
forted himself with the thought that if he had remained 
in this country he might perhaps unintentionally have 
divulged the secret of Katie’s parentage. There was no 
possibility, he thought, of its being known now, and so 
he buried it in his own breast, and, spreading the soil 
over the past, he called it dead ; but from that grave the 
flowers grew, and they filled his life with fragrance. 

He still retained his position as night watchman at 
the bank. Once by his courage he had prevented a 


264 


THE WRECKERS. 


robbery, and at another time had wrestled with an in- 
cendiary whom he caught in the very act of firing the 
building. As we have seen, he had an herculean frame, 
and it only needed one blow from his fist to strike the 
scoundrel senseless ; so that he not only extinguished the 
flames/ but succeeded in arresting the perpetrator. The 
man proved to be a member of a dangerous gang, and 
through him they were able to discover his accomplices, 
so that they were all either arrested or obliged to flee. 

In such ways as these Mike had become very valuable 
to the officers of the bank, and was sometimes trusted to 
fill the place of the messengers in their absence. Though 
large amounts of money were thus committed to his care, 
he always executed his duty with a full sense of his re- 
sponsibility, and returned promptly when the appointed 
errand had been performed. 

One morning, while he was supplying the place of one 
of the men who chanced to be away for a week on his 
annual vacation, a gentleman came in to make inquiries 
in reference to a check which he wanted cashed. He 
was a foreigner, and spoke with a marked accent. He 
stated that he had just reached the city, and expected to 
leave the next afternoon ; that the trunk containing his 
credentials had not yet arrived. He made some inquiries 
of the cashier, and then left, having promised to present 
himself on the following day at eleven o^clock. 

When he had gone, Mike, who had overheard the 
conversation, started to follow him ; then he returned 
and sat down in a chair in the back office. For a few 
moments he seemed bewildered ; putting his hand to his 
head and leaning his elbow on the arm of the chair, he 
turned pale, and felt as though he were going to faint. 


THE WRECKERS. 


265 


The bank was quite full at the time, and as every one 
was busy he was not noticed. Soon he arose, and going 
to Mr. DeCamp, who had not yet left the city for Troy 
Hill, he stated that he had suddenly become quite sick 
and would like to be excused for the day. 

^‘All right, said that gentleman, after a moment’s 
pause, during which he continued at his writing without 
looking up. He felt that he was being quite gracious. 
And so he was, according to his standard ; if it had been 
any other employ^, he would, before giving his consent, 
have questioned the propriety of his leaving, long enough 
at least to have made the impression on the individual 
that he felt he was endeavoring to secure a day’s holiday 
on an idle plea. Even he, however, had come to appre- 
ciate in his way the services of Mike, and was accordingly 
more indulgent with him than he otherwise would have 
been. Nevertheless, the other left with a sort of vague 
sense that while he said it was all right, he meant in 
reality it was all wrong. 

Leaving the bank, he hurried home to his little room, 
and lay stretched out on his bed for a long time. Finally 
he arose and began to pack up his clothing, laying most 
of it nicely away in his trunk, but stoAving the most 
necessary articles in his satchel. Then he AA^ent in to 
Peggy and Sandy to tell them that he might be absent 
for some time, and to leave with them his rent for the 
landlord AA^en he might calT. Looking around the 
room carefully once more, he hurried back to the bank 
again, and presented himself before Mr. DeCamp. 

I think I must be lavin’ ye, Mr. DeCamp,” he said, 
holding his hat uneasily in his hands and gazing into it. 
The gentleman looked up in surprise. 

M 23 


266 


THE WRECKERS. 


Why, what does this mean he asked. 

It was his policy never to betray too much solicitude 
about his employes, thinking, with Napoleon, that men 
are always more attentive to duty when they are not 
exactly sure that they are giving satisfaction. It makes 
them a little uneasy, and so more likely to be on the 
alert,^^ he was accustomed to remark. 

Now, however, he was taken off his guard, and mani- 
fested more interest than was his wont. Besides that, he 
began to realize, as there was a prospect of losing Mike, 
how difficult it would be to fill his place. 

Well, sir,^^ said Mike, still looking into his hat, 
which he was causing to revolve between his fingers, “ I 
don’t loike to be lavin’ ye, for you’ve been a good boss ; 
but I been on here pretty steady now for a good many 
years, an’ I think I’ll have to be takin’ a rest.” 

How much rest will you need ? Are you sick ?” 

I don’t feel very well, an’ I want to travel about a 
little. I think I’d loike to be goin’ into the country for 
a bit.” 

His employer vainly endeavored to persuade him to 
remain, and so at last reluctantly bade him good-by, 
telling him that if he ever needed employment to let him 
know, and if there was a vacancy in the bank which he 
could fill, he should have it. It may seem strange that 
a man like Mr. HeCamp, in spite of his declared prin- 
ciples, should have entered into such arrangements with 
a night watchman, when a single advertisement in the 
morning paper would have caused his doors to have been 
besieged with applicants. But while Mike was not very 
wise in many things, he had an instinct for the truth, 
and that is sometimes better than wisdom ; or rather, it 


THE WRECKERS. 


267 


is often the highest wisdom. Unlettered though he was, 
he had learned the lesson which seven-tenths of our 
young men never learn, and for the lack of that knowl- 
edge go halting through life : that he who would get 
on’’ must ask every day, not first of all, What can I 
get ?” but, What can I give ?” that the first essential, 
in order that one shall come out at the top, is a willing- 
ness to go in at the bottom. Though his position had 
been a lowly one, he had made himself invaluable, capa- 
ble of receiving any due reward, by not thinking so much 
of the reward as of the work. 

The writer once heard of a literary society which took 
for its question of debate, “ Resolved, that Mr. Long- 
fellow’s ^ Excelsior’ young man was a crank.” If he 
had been present at that discussion he would most cer- 
tainly have advocated the affirmative of the proposition. 
In his humble judgment he was a youth neither to be 
envied nor to be imitated. If his only aim was to bear, 
’mid snow and ice, the banner with the strange device. 
Excelsior,” he might a great deal better have listened to 
the old man’s voice which called him in out of the storm. 
So far as his own observation, and that of others with 
whom he has consulted, has extended, the men who have 
done the world’s work have been thinking of something 
els6 than simply carrying their flag up higher. As a rule, 
they who have reached the top have been they who never 
expected to be found there at all. The difference is just 
the difference between Caesar and Lincoln, between Na- 
poleon and Garfield ; the one crying Conquest made 
me what I am, and conquest must keep me so,” and so, 
while shouting Excelsior,” leading thousands to the 
roaring torrent, deep and wide the other standing be- 


268 


THE WRECKERS. 


fore a great nation and saying, I would rather be right 
than be President.^^ The young man was not half so 
worthy of renown as the hound who found him ; for he 
had some business up the mountain amid the snow and 
ice/^ and the young man had none. 

Mike had never thought of getting to the top, but 
simply of doing just as well as he possibly could the 
duties of every day as they came. Now he discovered 
that even a hard master found him, in his sphere, well- 
nigh indispensable. 

The next morning he took his satchel to the express- 
office, and left it there with instructions that they should 
keep it until he wrote to have it forwarded. Then he 
went and stationed himself in an open door-way, near the 
bank and across the street from it, where he could ob- 
serve all who entered, without himself being seen. As 
he was known through the street as a bank watchman, 
he felt sure that no suspicion would be aroused even if 
the passers-by should discover him. He looked at his 
watch, and saw the hour was approaching which had 
been appointed for the stranger to call, and he felt him- 
self becoming nervous and agitated ; so he withdrew to 
the loft of the building, which was used for storage pur- 
poses, and where he would be less likely to be observed 
than before. 

He had not been there a great while when he saw the 
gentleman leisurely approaching the entrance to the op- 
posite building. Hastening down to the street, he waited 
for him to come out, which he shortly did, buttoning up 
his coat, in the pocket of which he had just placed the 
money he had received. Mike noticed that he hesitated 
a moment as though doubting in which direction to turn, 


THE WRECKERS. 


269 


aud then passed down the street leading to the railroad 
depot. He followed, keeping on the other side of the 
way that he might not attract attention to himself. 

As they neared the station, there extended a broad es- 
planade in front, with a flagstone pavement leading up 
to the building. After Mike had seen him enter this 
walk, so that he knew whither he was going, he hurried 
through an intervening alley that led directly to the 
track ; and by this means was enabled to enter the ticket- 
office from the other side, having escaped all observation 
from the stranger. 

He had abundance of time to seat himself and to hide 
his face in the newspaper which he pretended to be read- 
ing before the other came in, wiping the perspiration off* 
his forehead and fanning himself with his hat. He saw 
him step up to the ticket agent, and heard him ask when 
the next train would start for Sweetsville. The man 
told him, and handed him a time-table. Then he heard 
him inquire whether there was stage connection from 
there to Troy Hill. After receiving an answer in the 
affirmative, he stood with his eyes bent in thought for a 
few moments, twirling the time-table in one hand, and 
playing with his watch-chain in the other. Walking 
leisurely up the street again, Mike followed him to his 
hotel. He saw him step up to the counter, pay his bill, 
and heard him order his baggage to be sent to the four 
o’clock train. Then he sauntered up to his room, and 
the watchman departed. 

All roight,” he muttered to himself on his way 
to his lodgings. ^H’ll keep my eye on ye, ye ould 
rascal !” 

That afternoon he called for his satchel on his way to 
23 * 


270 


THE WRECKERS. 


the station, and as the cars swept into the depot, boarded 
one, and waited expectantly in the smoker for the coming 
of the stranger. The train stopped for refreshments at 
this point, so that he had his own choice of a seat, from 
which he could scan every passenger as he emerged from 
the door of the ticket-office. He watched eagerly till 
he discovered the object of his pursuit appear on the plat- 
form and walk toward the drawing-room car. Then he 
lit his clay pipe, and settled himself to wait as patiently 
as he might their arrival at Sweets ville. 

Thus far all had gone well. If he had shown as 
much wisdom with Porta sixteen years before, he might 
have averted the desolation of his home. Every man 
grows older, however, even the man in the novel, except 
those miraculous creatures of the school of Mrs. DeCamp. 
His duties as watchman for so many years had made 
him more keen in dealing with characters whom he had 
reason to suspect of being vicious. 

When they arrived at the station and alighted, he 
mounted to the top of the stage with the driver, thus 
once more escaping the notice of the stranger, who, with 
the rest of the passengers to Troy Mountain, rode inside ; 
but when the horses stopped to water he determined to 
run the risk of being observed, thinking that the journey 
of an hour or more might perhaps enable him to over- 
hear the gentleman’s conversation, and help him to de- 
termine the best course to pursue when reaching their 
destination. He took pains to select a seat on the same 
side as that of the other, that he might thus avoid facing 
him. 

They bowled on some time in silence, but as the day 
was warm and the journey a tedious one, the passengers 


THE WRECKERS. 


271 


filially sought diversion in conversation, which soon be- 
came general. Mike noticed that the stranger was well 
informed, and before long was attracting almost sole at- 
tention to himself. He had travelled widely, and under- 
stood the art of expression, so that the others were very 
glad to remain comparatively quiet and enjoy the enter- 
tainment afforded by his varied fund of incidents and 
remarks. After a while the conversation became directed 
toward the place to which they journeyed. He had 
never been there, and began to question some one who 
had, in reference to the accommodations at the hotel, the 
different visitors, the opportunities for boating, shooting, 
and so forth. 

Some one mentioned casually the names of Mrs. De- 
Camp and Miss Russell, and though he made no reply, 
Mike, watching him steadily from the corner where he 
sat, thought he noticed a quick glance at the speaker 
before he turned the conversation into another channel. 
One of the travellers especially appeared to be greatly 
attracted by the stranger, and inquired his name. Mike 
listened more eagerly than ever now, and caught the 

reply — 

Strabelli, — Signor Strabelli.’^ 

This was the gentleman who on the following even- 
ing, while walking with his newly-made friend on the 
veranda, had been introduced by him to Mrs. DeCamp, 
apparently, and as that friend stated in speaking of it 
months afterward, by the merest chance. It is an old 
trick of the juggler to force a card on the spectator in 
the audience, thus making him an innocent confederate, 
while apparently leaving him, in his choice, entirely to 
the motions of his own will. Strabelli, who was deter- 


272 


THE WRECKERS. 


mined to play his cards with a master-hand, used his 
newly-found admirer in the same way. 

The reader knows the rest already : discovering almost 
at a glance the prevailing weakness of the lady, he cap- 
tivated her at once by skilfully flattering her vanity, 
while at the same time whetting her interest and curiosity 
in him, by enveloping himself with a certain atmosphere 
of mystery and romance. 

On the arrival of the coach, Mike, having concluded 
that the man he was watching would be safe at the, hotel 
at least until the following day, went to find in the vil- 
lage some clieap quarters for the night, and where per- 
haps he might remain, while deciding what to do next. 
He took up his temporary abode at the little tavern, but 
before noon of the following day had secured board and 
lodgings in a farmer’s dwelling almost directly across 
the road from the Troy Mountain House. Both houses 
stood back from the thoroughfare, so that there was con- 
siderable distance between them. This served his pur- 
pose the better, however, because, as his room was the 
second-story front chamber, he could readily observe 
whatever was taking place on the veranda of the hotel, 
without incurring the risk of being detected himself. 

It was only a day or two after his arrival that Mr. 
DeCamp made his appearance ; so that Mike’s chief fear 
after this was lest he should be seen by him or Katie. 
Unless Mr. Bussell should chance to stumble over him 
during his occasional visits, he knew he was safe from 
recognition by any one else. 

To disarm the suspicion of the people with whom he 
boarded, he purchased a few books in the village, and 
intimated to them that he did not wish to be disturbed, 


THE WRECKERS. 


273 


as he desired to pursue his studies unmolested. This of 
course was strictly true, only he did not designate the 
kind of studies he was pursuing. All day long he 
would sit at his window, watching for what he might 
discover from his retreat. On rainy days and in the 
evenings he would venture out, and sometimes also when 
he knew that Katie had driven off with Mr. and Mrs. 
DeCamp for an afternoon’s ride. 

It so happened that the son of the farmer with whom 
he lived was employed as bell-boy at the hotel. Occa- 
sionally he would come over to dine with his parents, 
and then Mike, as he sat at the table, would quietly 
listen while the lad poured into the ears of the simple 
people, whose whole stock of news was just that which 
they received during the summer boarding season from 
the house across the way, the gossip which a boy in such 
circumstances would be likely to convey. 

If he had been quicker at reaching conclusions, he. 
would have determined at once to make this boy an ally ; 
but as it was, some time elapsed before he discovered that 
here might be the very aid he needed in accomplishing 
the purpose on which he had now fixed his whole heart. 
We have already found that when he had once directed 
his attention toward an end he was not easily diverted ; 
and as the weeks passed by, this purpose developed into 
a passion, first to unravel a mystery which surrounded 
this stranger, and secondly, to hinder him in the crime 
which, for reasons best known to Mike himself, he felt 
sure he was contemplating. What that crime was lie 
did not know, but the thought that he was bent upon 
some evil thing had ripened from a suspicion into a posi- 
tive belief. 


274 


THE WRECKERS. 


The business affairs of Mr. DeCamp had so worn 
upon his nervous system that much of the time he was 
compelled to remain in his room, so that Mike, from his 
tower of observation, saw very little of him. The boy, 
however, had much to say about the lady, his wife, fre- 
quently speaking of her in the highest terms which 
Young America could employ. 

What man is there who, in the adolescent stage of his 
development, was at all susceptible, who cannot count 
among the objects of his early admiration some weakly 
demonstrative and sentimental lady old enough to be his 
mother ? and how much more certainly did this admi- 
ration increase if she was accustomed to bestow pepper- 
mint lozenges upon him, with occasional lavish donations 
of a ten-cent piece ? 

As the boy was often rewarded in this way, after 
bringing water to her room or performing an errand, it 
was not remarkable that he should express his admira- 
tion for Mrs. DeCamp in the most vigorous English at 
his command. He frequently called her ^^a regular 
spanker,’^ and would often describe the way in which 
Signor Strabelli ^^buzzed^^ her, remarking at the same 
time that this Strabelli was an airy old cock’^ whom 
he did not like. 

These and similar terms shocked the old people some- 
what, but Ned still persisted in employing them, and 
adding daily to his vocabulary whatever other phrases 
were used by the future Presidents of the United States 
who were employed in the same capacity as himself, and 
who were, most of them, city boys.’^ 

One day, when he had been giving a particularly ener- 
getic account of how the old roosteP^ had clawed’’ 


THE WRECKERS. 


27b 


him for bringing up his shaving-water cold, closing his 
narrative with the expressed wish that he might “ thump’^ 
him, Mike slipped a half-dollar into his hand as they 
went out into the hall together, and, cautioning him to 
say nothing about it, asked him to watch Strabelli, and 
report to him everything he saw. He told him that if 
he proved faithful and said nothing to anybody, he would 
give him twice as much again every week, but only on 
condition of the strictest secrecy. 

Ned accepted the commission as gladly as he had the 
money, and that afternoon Signor Strabelli was watched 
as he had seldom been before. To avoid the suspicion 
of the old folks, Mike arranged to meet the lad after 
dark, under a certain tree in the neighborhood, and 
receive his report. Before long Ned was able to render 
the following : 

Every mornin’ he orders a horse an’ buggy, an’ drives 
all by himself to Huntington ; that’s nearer than Sweets- 
ville. Then when he comes back he generally goes up 
into his room an’ stays a long time. In the afternoon 
he smokes or plays billiards with Mr. DeCamp or some 
other of the gen’lemen, or else sits on the veranda an’ is 
soft to the ladies.” 

What ladies especially ?” 

He generally sits ’long side o’ Mrs. DeCamp, but 
I’ve seen him a good many times with Miss Bussell, 
though she don’t seem to catch on to him much ; at least 
not as much as the other one does.” 

Will you look an’ see what the postmark is on his 
letters ?” 

He don’t have no letters. I noticed that afore you 
spoke to me. I generally carry the mail up to the rooms 


276 


THE WRECKERS. 


myself, an’ he’s the only one in the whole house almost 
. that don’t have none.” 

How do you know he goes to Huntington when he 
drives away ?” 

“’Cause on rainy days he has a double carriage, an’ 
the driver told me he always went there.” 

Mike scratched his head, and wished for the hundredth 
time that he had some one wise enough to tell him what 
he had better do. The weeks were passing, and he seemed 
no nearer the solution of the matter than he had been at 
the beginning. 

“If it wasn’t for bein’ seen by Katie an’ Mr. He- 
Camp,” he thought, “ I’d go over an’ take rooms myself, 
an’ thin perhaps I moight watch him to some purpose.” 

Finally an idea dawned upon him. 

Whin does he leave ?” he asked. 

“ Every mornin’ about ten o’clock.” 

“ Strange I haven’t seen him from my window.” 

“ No ; the carriage-door is at the side o’ the house, an’ 
the drive turns so that you would only see the carriage, 
without seein’ who was in it.” 

“ At ten o’clock ?” 

“ Yes, about a quarter to ten.” 

It was arranged that Ked should come out, if he could, 
the next day on the veranda, and inform Mike of the 
exact time when Strabelli was ready to start by throwing 
a stone at the nearest tree. 

Accordingly, the following morning, Mike had a horse 
and buggy in readiness, and the moment the signal was 
given he drove off in the direction of Huntington, slack- 
ening his speed somewhat in order that the other might 
readily overtake and pass him. Soon he heard the rattle 


THE WRECKERS. 


277 

of wheels, and looking out from the little window in the 
back of the carriage, he saw the one whom he expected. 
After permitting him to pass he whipped up his horse, 
following on at a brisk trot, and Ned, watching them 
from the position which he had taken in the middle of 
the road, saw them both disappear amid a cloud of dust. 


CHAPTER Xyill. 

THE MYSTERY OF A FEW LETTERS. 

As Ned had predicted, Strabelli drove without stop- 
ping straight to Huntington. Mike drew up closer to 
him as they entered the town, lest by some mischance 
or unexpected turn in the road he might escape amid 
the crowd of vehicles. Eagerly he followed until he 
stopped at a large building, in front of which a num- 
ber of farmers who had come to town had fastened 
their horses. When the man jumped out, Mike did 
likewise, and calling a boy to hold his beast, he thus 
gained time over the other, and entered the door of the 
store, while Strabelli was still engaged in fastening his 
horse to the wooden hitching-bar Avhich ran along the 
curbstone the whole length of the building. 

He w'as somewhat disappointed when it only proved 
to be the post-office ; nevertheless, thinking of what Ned 
had told him, he watched the other closely, and had the 
satisfaction of hearing him ask for the letters in box 164. 

So he gits some letters after all,’^ he whispered, 
though in a sacret manner.^’ 

24 


278 


THE WRECKERS. 


After receiving his mail, Strabelli drove straight back 
again, and Mike returned with a sense of chagrin to his 
own room. The next morning he did not wait for the 
other, but started at about nine o’clock to Huntington 
by himself. He reached there just as the mail was being 
distributed. Taking his position by the box, he could 
look through the glass and read the address of any 
letters which might be placed in it. X. Y. Z., Box 
164,” he read, as the first letter was thrust into the little 
compartment. 

Sure an’ it must be a very modest man that, if he 
isn’t willin’ to have his name sphelt on the outside of an 
envelope.” 

The next which entered the box gave him more sur- 
prise than the first, for he read the name of Miss Katie 
Russell. 

An’ what can the letter of Miss Katie Russell be 
doin’ in the box of Mr. X. Y. Z. ?” he muttered. 

Looking through the glass and carefully seeking to 
decipher the postmark, he found it impossible to read it. 

Sure it must be in Hutch. An’ who from that coun- 
try could be writin’ to her in a foine, bould hand loike 
that?” 

The postman now opened the sliding-window, thus 
signifying that he was ready to proceed to the business 
of distribution. Mike, to disarm suspicion, asked if 
there was a letter for him. 

Who are you ?” inquired the man. 

He looked round, and saw Strabelli just entering. 

Michael McGuiness,” he answered. 

“ No, sir ; none here for you.” 

On the way home the authorship of the letter still 


THE WRECKERS. 


279 


occupied his attention, and he could not solve the mys- 
tery of how it should come into Strabelli^s box. The fact 
that he was evidently receiving communications under 
cover confirmed the suspicion of his evil intentions. 

That evening when Ned came to render his report, 
Mike ventured to ask more particularly about the rela- 
tions of Katie to the Italian. 

They seem to be gettin’ some thicker ; but she don’t 
act as lively as she used to act. Oh, I know,” he added, 
what old Browney does when he goes to Huntington. 
He goes there to get his letters. That’s the reason he 
don’t never get any when the rest o’ the boarders does, 
when the stage comes from Sweetsville. I found it out 
by one o’ the boys I was buzzin’ to-day. He didn’t 
think nothin’, though.” 

How did he know ?” 

It don’t seem it was any special secret. It seems he 
heard him say to Mrs. DeCamp and Miss Bussell soon 
after he come that the mail reached Huntington several 
hours before the stage brought it from the other direc- 
tion, and if they’d have their letters sent to that place, 
he would get them for them earlier, because he went 
over every day for his own letters.” 

Mike’s countenance fell ; after all his trouble, he had 
discovered nothing at all. Ned continued, — 

I guess the young lady don’t get as many as she 
wants; she seems awful nervous, an’ stands lookin’ up 
the road off an’ on a good while afore he gets back ; an’ 
when he tells her, as he did to-day, that there ain’t none 
for her, she looks dreadful disappointed.” 

Hid he say there wasn’t none for her ?” exclaimed 
Mike, with excitement. 


280 


THE WRECKERS. 


Yes/’ said the boy, looking up wonderingly. 

To-day?” 

^^Yes.” 

Ah, the villain ! I see it all ; I see it all.” 

The boy, who did not see it all, and, like most of his 
kind, possessed a thirst for knowledge of a certain sort, 
waited till Mike’s passion had subsided, hoping to re- 
ceive an explanation. As none came, however, he began 
to open the way by one or two questions. These called 
the other back to himself once more, and cautioned him 
to be on his guard. 

Go on,” he said. What else did ye see ?” 

I remembered what you told me, an’ I just kept my 
eye on both on ’em. He went up to his room, an’ afore 
very long she went up to hern. When he come first she 
had her things on to go out ridin’ with Mrs. DeCamp ; 
but after that she told her that she didn’t feel like goin’, 
an’ the horses was put back, an’ they didn’t go. Soon 
after, I went up into the next room to hern, an’ peeked 
through the key-hole, an’ there I saw the young lady lyin’ 
on the bed on her face an’ cryin’ for all she was worth. 
I felt real sorry ; it kind o’ seemed as though old Browney 
had some’n to do with it, but I couldn’t tell what, so 
I thought I’d just tell you about it as soon as I could.” 

If Mike had not been so greatly excited he would in 
all probability have reprimanded Ned for gaining infor- 
mation in such a disreputable but ancient manner. The 
discovery that Strabelli was evidently playing false with 
her, and the thought that his child was thus being sub- 
jected to torture, while it seemed impossible for him as 
yet to discern any sufficient motive, or to do anything 
to prevent it, almost drove him wild. 


THE WRECKERS. 


281 


Quickly as he could he dismissed the lad, but instead 
of returning to his room he started up the road, walk- 
ing briskly in another direction, occasionally stopping to 
throw himself under a tree, all the time engaged in the 
most earnest discussion as to what this new development 
might mean, and what would be the wisest course to 
pursue. 

Thus he spent the whole night out of doors, walking, 
thinking, planning. Once he fell asleep for a few mo- 
ments when he had cast himself down by the roadside 
to rest, but awoke with a start, dreaming that one man 
was torturing his child by crucifying her on a cross, 
while his companion was bending over him, and, with 
his fingers clutching at his throat, was preventing him 
from moving or even crying out. 

If I only had some one to tell me what to do he 
repeated to himself again and again. 

By morning his determination was fixed. Watching 
his opportunity, he would secure a room at the hotel at 
such time as Katie and the DeCamps were in their own 
apartments, or out riding, and once having taken up his 
quarters there, he would endeavor at all hazards, and 
with the help of Ned, to watch Strabelli when he re- 
turned to his room, and discover if possible what he 
did, and from whom the letters were received. The 
next day he revealed his plan to the boy, who informed 
him that the room directly next to Strabelli’s was vacant, 
and that if he should come that night, he might be able 
to secure it. That night, therefore, found him nicely 
domiciled in the very next apartment to that of the Italian. 

Mike, in engaging the room, let it be understood at 
the office that he was not well, and would be seldom 
24 * 


282 


THE WRECKERS. 


able to leave it. Thus, without exciting suspicion, Ned 
could be summoned by the bell at all hours, and bring 
him constant information of \^'hat transpired. 

The first night he examined his quarters carefully, 
and discovered above the door separating his apartment 
from Strabellf s a transom window. This door of course 
was securely locked, and the window itself had been 
carefully covered over on the other side with black cloth. 
He tried to look through, but found it impossible. The 
next day, during Strabellfs absence, he removed the 
pane of glass, taking care so to arrange it that it could 
be temporarily returned to its place when occasion re- 
quired. After this he carefully cut in the cloth a figure 
shaped like the letter U. This would attract no atten- 
tion, and by lifting it he would be enabled to see without 
himself being seen. 

I don’t loike this koind o’ business ; but in dalin’ 
wid such as you, I must foight fire wid fire,” he muttered. 

That very night he thought he heard a strange click- 
ing sound in the next room. Looking in, he discovered 
Strabelli patiently at work with a type-writer, copying 
a letter which lay before him. After completing it, he 
spread it on the table, and proceeded to imitate, slowly 
and carefully, the signature. Then Mike saw him place 
it into an envelope which was already addressed. This 
envelope had evidently been opened after having been 
originally sealed ; for Strabelli had to apply fresh muci- 
lage before it would adhere. 

With the information which he already had, it required 
no very great discernment for him to conclude that the 
man was probably printing for Katie a false letter and 
forging the signature of the real. 


THE WRECKERS. 


283 


Early in the morning he rang for Ned, telling him to 
watch very carefully when Strabelli should return from 
the post-office that day, and report to him everything 
which should be said or done. Then he descended, and 
before the other boarders had finished their toilets he had 
partaken of his breakfast and was on his way to Hunt- 
ington. 

When the mail arrived, he stationed himself as before, 
where he might see each letter which was dropped into 
Box 164. There was one more for Y. Z.,’^ and 
another addressed to some one whose name he could 
scarcely decipher, but none for Katie. 

The guests were at dinner when he returned to his 
hotel and ascended unobserved to his room. He rang 
for Ned to bring him his meal, and at the same time to 
render his report. 

Hid he bring a letter to her to-day ?’’ 

Yes ; she wasn^t able to leave her room to meet him 
as she generally done, so he gave it to one o’ the boys to 
take up to her. When he had gone I offered to carry it 
up, and the boy let me have it. I knocked an’ she come 
to the door, an’ when she see that letter she just grabbed 
it, an’ her hands shook like she had the ague. Then she 
shut the door again, an’ I didn’t see no more ; but she 
hasn’t come down to dinner, ’cause I watched for her.” 

Has he come down ?” 

Yes ; him an’ Mr. and Mrs. HeCamp sits at the same 
table. I tried to get a look into the dinin’-room, but the 
head-waiter drove me away. I just had time to see they 
was talkin’ about something, but I don’t know what they 
W^as say in’.” 

Mike knew that Mr. DeCamp now had increasing 


284 


THE WRECKERS. 


cause for anxiety. With the growing spirit of lawless- 
ness in the city, the fires had multiplied so rapidly that 
under existing circumstances the insurance companies had 
refused, until they could come together, to insure works 
located on the flats,” situated, as they were, in the midst 
of lumber-yards, paint-manufactories, and warehouses 
denominated bad risks, even in the best times. This 
much he could guess as being one of the causes of his 
former employer's physical prostration, for this was 
generally known ; but this was only one reason for 
Mr. DeCamp’s mental depression and growing nervous- 
ness. 

His present resources were not what they once were, 
having been seriously diminished by several long strikes, 
resulting from misunderstandings with his workmen. 
The responsibilities for these losses he laid entirely upon 
the shoulders of his employes, and he had therefore be- 
come more harsh and exacting than before. He knew 
that if a fire should take place, it might mean for him 
utter ruin ; and the constant solicitude had so worn upon 
his nerves that he was no longer the calm, cool man 
which he had been beforetime. This was evident to all 
in the haste with which he ate his food, his startled ap- 
pearance when suddenly addressed, his dislike to being 
left alone, and his long, silent broodings when in com- 
pany. 

He was just in the frame of mind to yield to the in- 
flueuce of such a man as Strabelli ; especially as Mrs. 
DeCamp, who had become infatuated with the latter gen- 
tleman, took every occasion to bring them together. 

Do you sit where you can see the annunciator ?” 
Mike asked presently of Ned. 


THE WRECKERS. 


285 


“ Yes ; me and the other boys all sits on the bench 
near the office, an’ the annunciator’s just above our head 
in front of our eyes.” 

Watch, thin ; an’ every toime Miss Russell rings her 
bell, you go. Kape your eyes open, an’ let me know 
what you can.” 

If I could only warn her, poor choild,” he said to 
himself when he was left alone. But what would be 
the word of a poor Irishman loike me whin compared wid 
that of a gintleman loike him ? But I’ll kape my eyes 

on him, an’ if he goes to hurt a hair of her head ” 

He clinched his fists and walked excitedly across the 
room. 

That evening he heard a knock at his door, and on 
opening it discovered Ned. The boy looked mysteri- 
ously up and down the hall, to see that no one was in 
sight, and then entered, and closed the door. 

“ Here’s a letter that she just give to me to mail,” he 
said, in a whisper. You told me to bring everything 
to you, and I didn’t know but that this might help you 
to git behind that foreign chap.” Though the boy 
scarcely knew how or why, he had concluded there must 
be some connection between Katie and Strabelli of which 
Mike did not approve. 

He hesitated to take the letter, even to look at the 
outside ; it seemed like disloyalty to his sense of honor. 
It was the first time in his life he had been called to 
occupy even a questionable position. 

^^It’s for her own good, though; bless her schwate 
soul,” he said to himself as he conquered his reluctance 
and looked at the directions on the envelope. He 
read : 


286 


THE WRECKERS. 


^^Mr. Waldemar Grant, 

Mannheim, 

Germany.” 

Here it was at last. It dawned upon him now. How 
stupid of him not to have thought of Waldemar before ! 
He now remembered having seen them riding together, 
months ago, in Groveland. He was the one, then, whose 
letters Strabelli was appropriating and whose name he 
was forging. Now the way was clear before him. He 
would sit down and write to him at once, and tell him 
what he had seen. 

This he accordingly did; and having taken an as- 
sumed name at the hotel, through fear that his real one 
might be recognized by those whom he did not care 
should know of his presence, he signed this name to the 
letter and sent it off by the next mail. He took the 
further precaution to have the answer directed to a box 
which he secured at Huntington. 

That night, however, he was considerably perplexed. 
He lay awake many liours trying to discover how Stra- 
belli, during the weeks in which he had been carrying 
on this plan, could have evaded detection. Surely Wal- 
demar Grant should have perceived the fraud by reading 
Katie’s replies. 

He had become considerably acquainted with the elder 
Mr. Grant at the time that gentleman was in partner- 
ship with Mr. DeCamp. He remembered meeting Wal- 
demar in his father’s office not long before he had left 
for Germany ; and the more he thought of it, the more 
convinced he was that the place where he was intending 
at that time to go was not one which had the sound of 


THE WRECKERS. 


287 


Mannheim, though what it was he could not recollect. 
He determined on the following day to return to Grove- 
town, where he could very easily find out from the for- 
mer coachman of the Grants, with whom he was well 
acquainted. 

It won’t do no harm to write to both places,” he 
said, when he had discovered the real name of Walde- 
mar’s supposed residence. Accordingly he sent another 
# letter to Heidelberg, similar to the one he had written a 
few days before. 

In less than a fortnight he received a despatch : 

Am coming. Watch him. Will reward you well. 

(Signed) “Waldemar Grant.’ 

ISIike was deeply hurt at the last sentence, but con- 
soled himself with the thought that Waldemar did not 
know him. He had little time to think about himself, 
however, on account of the exciting events which shortly 
followed, the story of which we must reserve for the 
next chapter. 


CHAPTER XIX. 

IN WHICH MIKE MEETS SOME ONE, AND IS GREATLY SUR- 
PRISED. 

After he had received the despatch from AYaldemar, 
Mike determined to see Katie if possible, and, now that 
he had some definite information, to warn her against 
Strabelli, and bid her wait patiently till Waldemar 
should return. He scarcely knew how to secure an 


288 


THE WRECKERS. 


interview without being discovered, and, concluding that 
the danger would be diminished if he were farther re- 
moved from the hotel, decided to return to his old quar- 
ters at the farm-house. 

He hesitated whether to send a message requesting her 
to appoint a place of meeting, or to wait till such time 
as she should drive to one of the neighboring villages, 
then to follow her and secure a word while Mrs. He- 
Camp, who usually accompanied her, was in some store 
making a purchase. 

He finally chose this latter plan, and accordingly ar- 
ranged with Ned to let him know whenever she might 
be ready to go out. 

In vain, however, he waited for the signal. What 
had become of Katie during all this time? Let us 
see. 

Even though one may be well aware of the weakness 
of another, if they are almost constantly in their com- 
pany they cannot help being more or less influenced. 
Katie understood thoroughly the frivolity of Mrs. De- 
Camp, and had made up her mind not to be infected. 
Strabelli, on the other hand, was too shrewd not to use 
this woman as an ally if he could. Accordingly, with 
the knowledge which he had already received from the 
letters intercepted, he adroitly led her to surmise (ap- 
parently solely through her own penetration) the relations 
existing between Waldemar and Katie. 

The way was very open for him to do this, by ques- 
tioning her as to whom the young lady^s correspondent 
could be who wrote to her so regularly from Germany. 

This of course set Mrs. DeCamp to guessing within 
herself ; and since her antipathy to the head of the house- 


THE WRECKERS. 


289 


hold had extended, as it generally does with such people, 
to all the members of the family, she took every occasion 
to draw comparisons between Signor Strabelli and her 
nephew, not at all favorable to the latter. 

At first Katie had resented these suggestions with con- 
siderable warmth, but when AYaldemar^s letters had sud- 
denly become so much colder toward herself, until each 
one seemed more indifferent than the last, she was forced 
to think that she had been perhaps mistaken concerning 
him ; and though the discovery almost broke her heart, 
she began secretly to welcome the strictures of Mrs. De- 
Camp, as a kind of palliative for her wretchedness. 

“ Waldemar is only a boy,^^ that lady remarked on one 
of these occasions, when she was discussing the merits of 
the Italian and the demerits of his rival, Now, if I 
were a young girl, IM rather have a strong man, whom 
I could look up to : a man who has seen the world, and 
knows what is in it. Just think how exquisitely Signor 
Strabelli plays the piano, and what a distinguished air 
he has when he walks into the parlor. Why, goodness 
gracious, he looks for all the world like one of the doges 
of Venice 

Katie was not ready to say in how far the ability to 
play the piano and to walk with an imposing air went 
toward the making of an acceptable partner for life ; she 
only knew that she was very miserable, and longed for 
almost anything which might afford her diversion and 
cause her to forget her grief. 

The first succession of blows had prostrated her, and 
she lay sick and moaning to herself in her own room for 
several days. This had annoyed Strabelli. He had no 
idea that she would take the matter so much to heart. 

N t 25 


290 


THE WRECKERS. 


It threatened to overthrow his plans altogether, by cut- 
ting off all opportunity for him ,to meet her. So he 
determined, through Mrs. DeCamp, to appeal to that 
weak point in most people under the sting of unrequited 
love : her pride. 

Of course the vain, giddy woman whom he used as 
his tool never suspected that she was playing the part 
of a puppet in the hands of this man. She giggled and 
chuckled to herself, complimenting her own shrewdness, 
acting on every subtle suggestion of his, and never sup- 
posing it to be a suggestion at all ; taking her pay, mean- 
while, in that scrip with which so many debts are liqui- 
dated among fools, — smiles and cajolery ; a capital which, 
however valuable it may appear at the time, fails to sup- 
ply the place of hard cash, when the owner chances to 
feel the need of some circulating medium which shall 
pass current at the bake-shop or the grocery. Egged on 
by these unrecognized promptings, she visited the room 
of Katie daily, and urged her not to give way to the 
disappointment which had so suddenly fallen on her. 

It’s really humiliating, my dear,” she exclaimed, 
seating herself in a chair by the side of the bed on which 
the young girl lay, and throwing up her hands, ^^that 
you should go on so, simply because some young man has 
shown that he isn’t worthy of you. To be sure, I don’t 
know ; I can only guess ; but all the boarders in the house 
will soon begin to talk about it. Of course they saw you 
when you refused to go out riding the other day because 
no letter came from him. I was really sorry myself that 
you showed it so plainly.” 

The truth was that she had never suspected the cause 
at all until it had been suggested by Strabelli. 


THE WRECKERS. 


291 


The real fact is, you are too good a girl to carry on 
so. Waldemar isn’t. worthy of it. Necessarily, if the 
boarders come to suspect it (and how can anybody help 
it ?) they will only make you a laughing-stock, and say 
that you were jilted, and he will hear of it ; perhaps 
somebody has written to him already, and he is amusing 
himself about it even now.” 

He isn’t !” cried Katie, her eyes flashing as she lifted 
herself on her elbow. And what do I care what peo- 
ple think ? I wish I were dead, I do !” And slie buried 
her face in her hands and began to sob hysterically, 
partly through anger, but chiefly through her sense of 
loneliness and grief. 

^^Well, I hope not,” said the other; ^^but I know 
Waldemar better than you do. It must be Waldemar, 
because I saw the post-mark was in German ; and, more- 
over, I recognized his handwriting on one of the enve- 
lopes. But then I don’t want to hurt your feelings, my 
dear ; only I can’t help wishing you had more pride.” 

wish mother was here,” sobbed Katie, as she 
thought of Mrs. Bussell, when the door had closed on 
Mrs. DeCamp and a fresh realization of her loneliness 
came over her. 

Nevertheless Mrs. DeCamp’s words had their effect. 

Perhaps it is foolish for me, and weak,” she thought, 
the next day, to give way to this trouble. Not that I 
care for what people will say ; but I want to be a woman, 
and not a child. But then he seemed to me to be so true 
and good. I can’t understand it ! I can’t understand 
it !” And she stood looking out on the drizzling rain 
through the window, her arm against the sash and her 
head leaning against her arm. 


292 


THE WRECKERS. 


So at last she forced herself to leave her room and 
mingle as much as possible with the others in the house, 
as though nothing had happened. 

Mike, from his retreat, saw her every time she ap- 
peared on the veranda ; still the days passed by without 
the signal being given. 

Suppose we all take a little walk,’’ said Mrs. De- 
Camp, as she and her husband were seated, with Signor 
Strabelli and Katie, one evening at one of the tables on 
the lawn. 

The Italian quickly threw away his cigar, and offering 
Katie his arm, the party strolled down the road. Mike, 
who was sitting under the shadow of a great tree oppo- 
site, saw them, and followed at a distance. 

Never in his life did he feel the need of greater self- 
control than then. Knowing much and suspecting more 
in reference to the designs of this man, he could have 
snatched the girl from him and trampled him under 
foot. But he asked himself, what would be the result ? 
He had absolutely no proof at all, and could have none 
till Waldemar returned. At the very time when the 
interests of all demanded his vigilance, he should be 
arrested for assault ; and Strabelli, if not exalted to the 
position of a hero by that tendency in human nature lead- 
ing us to sympathize with whichever party is attacked, 
would at least have warning that he was being watched. 

Mike knew that if he could only control himself until 
the evidence w^as at hand, he might convict him of a 
State’s prison offence; inasmuch as he had not only 
robbed the mails, but had committed forgery besides. 
With a strong effort he restrained himself until the 
party had returned to the hotel ; but the sight of these 


THE WRECKERS. 


293 


two together led him to form the determination to warn 
Xatie at the earliest possible moment against the man 
whom he thus knew to be a villain. But how should 
he do it ? He could not see her personally ; though he 
had once intended to, the more he thought of it the more 
impracticable it seemed. She would be sure to ask ques- 
tions, which he was not, at present at least, prepared to 
answer. Should he write a letter? But what weight 
was there in a note which came anonymously ? 

The excitement of the evening, and the anxiety in 
reference to his child, kept him from sleep that night. 
The truth was, though he was not prepared to acknowl- 
edge it to himself, that he was beginning seriously to feel 
the result of his constant watching and his long hours of 
solicitude. Some of the old symptoms, such as the pain 
in his head, began to make their appearance once more. 
That indefinite foreboding which is so apt to accompany 
approaching insanity would creep over him, so that many 
times when he fell at last into a troubled slumber it 
would be far toward the morning. 

This was a clear night in the early part of September. 
Finding he could not sleep, he arose, as he frequently 
did, to walk the room. A strong wind had arisen, and 
he went to the window for the purpose of closing it. 
The house was so situated that it faced the north, and 
this window opened toward the west, in the direction of 
Groveland. Immediately his attention was attracted by 
a lurid glare against the sky. 

Sure it must be a house afire,’’ he said to himself. 

As it increased in volume he drew on his clothes, and 
hurried down the road to where he imagined it might 
be. He thought it strange that no cry of fire was raised, 
25 * 


294 


THE WRECKERS. 


and tliat he saw no one running in the same direction. 
Presently he overtook a man who, like himself, had seen 
the light, and had come out to discover the cause. 

It must be just beyond the hill yonder,’^ said he, 
when he saw Mike. 

People seem to be takin’ it moighty cool,” responded 
the latter, as they hurried on. 

When they came to the top of the hill it was as far 
off as ever. 

Sure it’s a big fire wherever it is,” said Mike. 

The heavens were now brilliant with the light of the 
flame. The two reached the top of the next hill, and it 
was apparently as distant as before. Suddenly the man 
with him turned round and exclaimed, — 

It’s the city !” 

Mike only needed the suggestion to realize its truth. 
It was the city. How much of the city they knew not ; 
but it looked as though the whole town was burning up. 
The flames, which seemed so near, were fifteen miles 
away. The long-threatened conflagration had come, and 
to-morrow should see families who had been accustomed 
to wealth all their lives reduced to beggary. 

When he returned to the hotel he found everything 
in a state of excitement. Standing where he could see, 
without being recognized, he heard Mr. DeCamp calling 
for horses, and near him stood Strabelli, stroking his 
moustache and looking at the lurid skies. When the 
horses arrived, Mike was dismayed to see them enter the 
carriage together and dash off toward town. 

Sure ye’ll not get away from me so easily as that,” 
he whispered, as they disappeared down the road. 

The stage was crowded the next morning when it 


THE WRECKERS. 


295 


started for Sweetsville, there to meet the train for Grove- 
land. Mike did not seek to enter it at the hotel, but 
walked along the road that it should overtake him, thus 
avoiding recognition in case Katie chanced to be among 
the crowd on the porch. Climbing up to a place with 
the driver, he was soon rolling rapidly along toward the 
city and the object of his search. He regretted that he 
could not have devised some way to warn Katie before 
he left ; but he consoled himself with the thought that 
Strabelli would not be there for a day at least. Possi- 
bly never,’^ he muttered ; if young Mr. Grant only 
comes in time to fix him.’^ 

Having reached the town, all day long he wandered 
about the streets, trying to find some clue to his where- 
abouts. 

Idl watch the house at night, an’ see if he comes in 
thin.” 

That night he was rewarded by discovering Strabelli 
and Mr. HeCamp drive up to the family mansion and 
go in together. I don’t have as good a chance to kape 
my eye on ye here as I did in the country,” he muttered ; 

but you’ll be a wiser chap than I think ye are if ye git 
out o’ my sight for long.” 

There was but one depot in the city, and Mike knew 
that if the man should attempt to leave town he would 
almost certainly go from there ; especially as he felt con- 
fident that as yet he had received no hint that he was 
being watched. So during the day he stood guard near 
the station, where he could see every one who went into 
or came out of it; and at night he placed himself, at 
such time as he knew no train left the city, near the 
house of Mr. HeCamp. 


296 


THE WRECKERS. 


The second evening he was as successful as the first ; 
for though he did not see them when they entered, he 
discovered them sitting in the library together; and 
afterward, when they came out, and talked for a long 
time on the balcony. 

'He noticed that while Strabelli appeared perfectly 
self-possessed, DeCamp smoked quick and nervously, 
using up almost two cigars while the other was dis- 
posing of one. 

The next day there awaited him a genuine surprise. 
While he stood watching the passengers who had arrived 
from the East by the St. Louis express, he could hardly 
believe his eyes when among them he discovered Wal- 
demar. 

Hurrying toward him, he greeted him fervently. The 
young man, who was not aware that his communicator 
was Mike, on account of the false name which the latter 
had signed, was somewhat astonished at his demonstra- 
tions, especially as he had known him only slightly 
before leaving for Germany. He was, moreover, ex- 
ceedingly desirous not to be recognized, that he might 
the better be able to pursue a still hunt after Strabelli. 

It’s moighty glad I am to see ye,” exclaimed Mike, 
grasping his hand with a sense of relief ; feeling that here 
at last was some one with whom he might safely counsel. 

^^How do you do?” replied the other coldly, as he 
turned away. But Mike was too much excited to notice 
the manner in which his approaches were received. 

Let me carry your satchel,” he persisted. 

Thanks ; but I shall order a hack.” 

Ah, well, that’ll be better, an’ we’ll ride up together, 
so we will.” 


THE WRECKERS. 


297 


The other looked at him again with a sort of an 
amused astonishment, but said nothing. When the hack 
was ordered, Mike attempted to enter after M^aldemar. 

See here, Mike, or whatever your name is, it seems 
to me you’re deuced impertinent !” exclaimed the other, 
now almost provoked by what he deemed a stranger’s 
assurance. 

Mike looked up with a surprised expression ; the color 
flushed his face, but he drew back quietly. 

All roight, Mr. Grant,” he said, in a subdued tone. 

Sure I won’t trouble ye. But I only thought I moight 
be doin’ ye a good turn.” 

Waldemar scarcely knew what to make of this ex- 
pression; the conscious dignity of the man, and the 
pained look in his face, appealed to his sympathy. 
With a generous impulsiveness which was one of his 
chief characteristics, he said, as he threw open the door 
again, — 

^^Come in; come in; I didn’t mean to .hurt your 
feelings ; only if you wasn’t an Irishman I’d say you 
ought to have been born down East, judging by the 
calm use you know how to make of other people’s 
nutmegs. Come in ; where do you want to go ?” 

But Mike still stood outside ; for with all his humility 
he had self-respect, which would not brook injustice, 
where he thought it was intended. 

^^It don’t make any matter about me ridin’, Mr. 
Grant,” he said. I can just as well walk, for I’m used 
to it ; only I thought it moight be best for us to have a 
talk about him together just as soon as we could. It’s 
a slippery man that we’re dalin’ with.” 

Who ?” exclaimed Waldemar, with astonishment. 


298 


THE WRECKERS. 


Mike be^an to think there must be some mistake. 

O 

Isn’t your name Mr. Waldemar Grant?” 

That’s my name ; and yours is What is yours, 

any way ? Barney, isn’t it ?” 

Yes, my name is Michael Barney.” Then, remem- 
bering himself, he added quickly, but the name you’re 
to know me by is Michael McGuiness. Whist now, 
don’t say a word !” And he put his finger over his lips 
in token that the other was to be discreet, as he noticed 
his sudden look of recognition, and fancied he was about 
to speak. He was not quick enough, however, to pre- 
vent the hasty Waldemar from exclaiming, while he 
thrust his hand out to him, — 

“ And you are the man who is to help me track that 
villain to earth ! How fortunate we should have met ! 
Come in ! come in ! Did you get my despatch ?” 

Mike glanced uneasily around, for he could not help 
noticing the driver who had been standing near his 
horses, and within hearing distance, waiting for orders 
as to their destination. He stepped in, and M^aldemar, 
thrusting his head out of the window, cried, — 

“ Take me to the Buckingham But no ! Wait.” 

He drew back again and consulted with Mike. Take 
me to 52 Biverton Street.” And the carriage rolled 
away toward Mike’s home. So it was you who wrote 
the letter, was it ?” said Waldemar. “ How in the world 
did you come to know of it ?” 

Well, I had reasons for suspectin’ him that I can’t 
spake of now. I found he was goin’ there, an’ I thought 
I’d go off on a little vacation. A bit o’ fun now an’ 
thin don’t hurt no man, ye know. I’d been vjorkin’ 
pretty steady on an’ off at the bank for a good while. 


THE WRECKERS. 


299 


So says I to myself, I’ll just kape my eye on him, for 
the reason that I guessed he was a rogue. So I kept my 
eye on him for a bit of diversion loike, and that’s how 
it was.” 

Once more Mike’s instinct had proved wiser than his 
reason. He felt that Waldemar would naturally ask for 
some cause why he had assumed the part of a detective ; 
and lest he might by any chance guess the real one, he 
sought to convey the impression that it was for the 
excitement of tracking a rogue. 

Well, you shall be rewarded if you help me in this 
matter.” 

With the same quiet dignity which he had manifested 
before, all the more impressive because he was so uncon- • 
scions of it himself, Mike replied, — 

I don’t want any reward, Mr. Grant. I never axes 
any reward for doin’ me duty. Sure I couldn’t see an 
innocent young guirl loike Miss Russell, whom I’ve 
chanced to know now for this many a year, an’ a foine 
young man loike yerself, wronged without feelin’ that I 
was wronged too. It made me feel awful bad when I 
read in your despatch that you was goin’ to reward me ; 
but I said to myself that perhaps whin ye came to know 
me better ye wouldn’t be thinkin’ that I wanted any re- 
ward for doin’ a good turn to the loikes o’ you an’ her.” 

The young man looked at him and thought, Really !” 
Then he shifted his seat with the air of one who had 
unexpectedly discovered himself in the presence of a 
gentleman. I won’t, of course, insist upon it,” he said, 
if you don’t want to take it ; I only wished you to 
know that I appreciated your, your — kindness,” hesitat- 
ing for the right word. 


300 


THE WRECKERS, 


That’s all roight/’ said Mike, anxious to enter on 
the main question. ^^Now let’s talk about the man 
we’re after. We’ll have to work moighty cautious loike; 
for he’s that sly that I belave he’s loike a fox, an’ can 
smell what he can’t see wid his eyes.” 

Where is he now ?” 

Sure he’s here in the city, at the house of Mr. De- 
Camp. I ” 

^^At the house of Mr. DeCamp? I thought so. 
When I heard from you that they two were together, 
I knew that he and his wife (who is unfortunately my 
aunt) had been influencing Katie against me, and so 
playing into the hands of this rascal. Not that they 
« realized, of course, that he was a rascal,” he added, but 
they have not been any too well disposed toward our 
family since a certain disagreement between us in busi- 
ness matters some years ago.” 

From what I see in the papers,” said Mike, he 
hasn’t got anything left now. They say his house is in 
his wife’s name ; but the fire cornin’ just at the time whin 
the companies had refused to insure has made all his 
property go up in smoke. Sure the whole place was 
cleaned out, leavin’ scarcely a chimney standin’. He 
had a little property in real estate, but the creditors 
has come down on him for that, an’ I hear tell how he’s 
clean gone by the board.” 

Poor fellow !” said Waldemar, thoughtfully. “ If 
I’d known that I wouldn’t have written him the letter 
I did. I’m always making blunders through my impet- 
uosity. When I received your note telling me of the 
machinations of this rascal, and of how he appeared to 
be so intimate with Mr. and Mrs. DeCamp, I was crazy 


THE WRECKERS. 


301 


with rage. I didn’t discriminate as I ought to have 
done. I might have known that they would not do 
anything dishonorable ; but feeling desolate as I did at 
having received such letters from Miss Kussell, — to 
whom, I might as well say to you, I’ve been engaged 
for some time, though I didn’t think that any one else 
knew it, — I sat down and wrote, accusing them of using 
their influence to prejudice her against me. Of course 
I didn’t say anything about this Strabelli, because that 
would have betrayed matters ; but I knew they must 
know that the engagement was broken off. At any 
rate, it seemed to me in my moment of anger as if 
they were trying to break it off, and I wrote all kinds 
of threats, which I didn’t mean, and which I wish now 
I hadn’t written. I don’t suppose they’ve got the letter 
yet ; for it couldn’t come any quicker than I did, and I 
started right away.” 

By this time they had arrived at Mike’s door, and 
having paid the driver, ascended to his room. 

Waldemar unpacked his satchel, and by his friend’s 
solicitation began to make himself at home. He had 
not gone to his own house for two reasons. The first of 
these was, that his father and mother had not yet re- 
turned from the country, where they were visiting a rela- 
tive ; and the second, that until he had captured Strabelli 
he did not want the servants in the house to know of his 
return, on account of the publicity which they might 
give to it. 

He had been secretly contemplating the possibility of 
returning to America even before receiving Mike’s letter. 
His father had a few months before become suddenly a 
poor man by the depreciation of values in Western lands ; 

26 


302 


THE WRECKERS. 


and Waldemar had felt that, however loath he might be 
to give up his studies, he ought not to continue them^ 
since the resources at home had so far diminished that 
the expense would prove a burden. He had lost much 
interest in his pursuits, moreover, on account of this 
disappointment in connection with Katie. Strabelli 
had cunningly conveyed the impression, in the letters he 
had sent to Waldemar, signed with her name, that while 
she did not state the fact, she felt that the altered circum- 
stances in his father’s family precluded the possibility of 
her continuing the engagement. 

The shock was a terrible one to a young man of his 
disposition. He had placed as much reliance in her 
nobility of character as she had in his. For the time 
he became misanthropic, and lost sympathy with every- 
thing about him. Woe to the man who has cause, or 
feels he has, to lose confidence in man or woman ! It 
were better that a millstone were hanged about his neck 
and that he were drowned in the depths of the sea. 

When Mike’s letter had arrived, the revulsion of feel- 
ing was so great that he could not stay a single day, but 
started in the very next vessel for home, without com- 
municating with any one except his correspondent. 

For a time he sat looking over the morning papers, 
and eagerly asking questions about Katie, Strabelli, Mr. 
and Mrs. DeCamp, and various others whom he knew, 
and the events which had happened in his absence. 
Mike replied mostly in monosyllables, sitting on a chest, 
looking out of the window, and engaged in thought. 
Finally he turned to Waldemar, and in a slow, hesitating 
way he said, — 

I know it’s none o’ my business, an’ yet I suppose 


THE WRECKERS. 


303 


we must speak o’ these things plain loike if we’re goin’ 
to catch him ; but did you say whin we was cornin’ up 
in the carriage that you received letters as though they 
come from Katie — I beg pardon, Miss Russell — sayin’ as 
how she wanted to break off the engagement ?” 

^^Yes.” 

An’ how was they written ?” 

With a type- writer, and signed with her name. That 
was because, according to these letters, her eyes were get- 
ting poor, so that she found it easier to write in that way. 
I wish I had them now, but unfortunately, in my anger 
and grief, I burned them.” 

An’ I saw him writin’ a letter, which I found out 
afterward was to her, an signin’ it wid your name in the 
same way.” 

The rascal !” And Waldemar arose and walked the 
floor. But why did I not receive her letters ?” he ex- 
claimed. Are you sure you’re not mistaken ? If these 
I’ve been receiving have been written by him, what has 
become of hers?” And he stopped inquiringly in the 
midst of his walk and looked at Mike. 

An’ I been thinkin’ o’ that, too. Sure it seemed 
moighty strange, so it did ; but after layin’ awake the 
whole of a night, I thought I struck it, though I don’t 
know that I did for a fact. Where was your address, 
Mr. Grant?” 

“ Why, where you wrote to me, to be sure : Heidel- 
berg, Germany.” 

It’s it, begorra !” And Mike permitted the palm of 
his hand slowly and emphatically to descend on his knee. 

Of course it’s it; I haven’t been anywhere else since 
I reached there.” 


304 


THE WRECKERS. 


But Waldemar had not understood the force of the 
last expression. Mike referred to his suspicions con- 
cerning Strabelli. 

Ye see this Italian/’ lifting one finger and speaking 
deliberately, as though trying to collect his thoughts, 
says to Katie — I beg pardon, Miss Russell — one 
mornin’, ^ If you want to get your letters soon, have ’em 
sent to my box at Huntington.’ That’s the way he gets 
your letters to her in his own hands ; an’ thin writes 
others to her, pretendin’ they come from you.” 

But how did he keep me from receiving hers ? They 
did not come to me through him.” 

Be aisy,” said the other, lifting his hand and inclin- 
ing his head as one who is pretty sure of his ground, 
provided you give him time enough to explain. You 
was never in a place called Mannheim ?” 

^^Ko; except when I went through on my way to 
Heidelberg. It’s a little town not far from there.” 

You never tould any letters to be directed to you 
there?” 

Never.” 

Mike then related the circumstances of Katie’s en- 
velope, addressed to Waldemar, being brought to him, 
directed to that place. 

I see it,” said the other. “ He in a forged letter, 
purporting to come from me, written with a type-writer, 
so as to make the forgery easier, must have told Miss 
Russell to send her letters there.” 

But how did he get ’em back again ?” queried Mike, 
who had already solved the problem for himself as far 
as this. 

Easily enough ; he simply had to write to the author- 


THE WRECKERS. 


305 


ities there requesting that letters arriving to such a per- 
son be forwarded to Huntington ; possibly enclosing 
money for postage, though I don’t know exactly what 
the law is in reference to that.” 

Sure he must be the son o’ the devil himself,” whis- 
pered Mike, slowly shaking his head from side to side, 
as the truth dawned upon him. 

Then he had her letters and mine in his own hands, 
and could keep up a false correspondence between us at 
his will.” 

Mike looked down on the carpet and nodded his head 
solemnly, but said nothing. 

Now to-morrow,” continued Waldemar, “ I will go 
out to Troy Mountain and explain these matters to Miss 
Russell. That’s the first thing which must be done. You 
stay here and watch him that he does not get away ; and 
before long we’ll have the handcuifs on his wrists, and 
he himself where he won’t do much damage, for a while 
at least. I’ll come back the next day ; then we’ll go to 
work in dead earnest.” 

Mike sat, when he had finished, scratching his head, 
as he was accustomed to do when perplexed. Presently 
he said, still deliberating, — 

There’s one thing which I can’t explain. How long 
did he expect this game to last ? Sure he must ha’ been 
an idiot, wid all his slyness, not to know he’d be found 
out.” 

Why, that’s easily explained. I frequently spoke in 
my letters of my contemplated stay for two years longer 
in Germany. From those same letters he must have 
known that our engagement was secret. If he could 
succeed in alienating us, there wouldn’t be much chance 
u 26 * 


306 


THE WRECKERS. 


of his discovery, for a while at least, with her in this 
country and me in Germany. The only reason that I 
can give for his running such a risk and taking so much 
pains is, that he wanted to marry her himself.^’ 

I don^t know,’^ said Mike. He^s a deep one ! He’s 
a deep one !” 

And when one comes to think of it,” continued the 
other, the idea of any such motive is absurd on its face. 
He must have commenced this just as soon as he went 
to the Mountain House, where she was. She certainly 
never could have seen him before, or I should have 
known it. And it’s ridiculous to think of a man of his 
character falling so desperately in love, in a single day, 
with a young lady who is not at all congenial with him, 
that he is willing to run such a risk as that.” 

Mike had nothing to offer toward the solution of this 
problem, so he only shook his head, and again showed 
his superiority in point of wisdom to many whom we 
meet by saying nothing wlien he had nothing to say. 

It was now growing toward evening. Looking at his 
timepiece, he remarked, — 

It’s most time for him and Mr. DeCamp to be cornin’ 
home. I must go out an’ watch.” 

And I’ll go with you,” Waldemar answered, rising 
and taking up his hat. 

You’re not afraid o’ bein’ seen ?” asked the other, 
anxiously. 

Oh, no. Nobody knows I’m in town, you know. 
But look here ; if you have an old coat, it might not be 
amiss for me to put one on.” 

Mike brought *one out for him, and he got into it, 
laughing at its huge proportions. 


THE WRECKERS. 


307 


This is the biggest pod for such a small pea IVe seen 
for a good wliile/^ he remarked. Now if you’ve got 
an old slouch hat, that’ll make matters complete.” And 
he laughed again as he drew the coat up over his nose 
and peered out from above its collar. Mike brought out 
one of his old hats, and stuffed paper into the lining to 
make it fit. They both laughed heartily as Waldemar 
took it, and, putting it on, assumed various postures 
before the glass. 

Sure ye’ll be arrested by the police, so ye will,” cried 
Mike, the old-time twinkle showing in his eye. 

‘‘No, they won’t touch me in such a rig as this. 
They’ll think I’m a Plug Ugly, and let me pass as one 
of themselves out of uniform. I’d be almost willino: to 
be arrested, though, for the sake of seeing how they do 
it. I never knew a policeman yet who could catch any- 
thing ; not even the measles if it was in his own neigh- 
borhood.” 

They went out, and walked on in silence. At last 
they came to a side street leading into the principal 
thoroughfare. 

“ Stand back, Mr. Grant,” Mike whispered suddenly. 
“ He’s cornin’.” 

They withdrew under the shadow of a great tree, and 
saw Mr. DeCamp and Strabelli pass up the avenue, arm 
in arm. They were not walking fast, so the two men 
could easily follow them. 

Mr. DeCamp appeared to be listening, while the other 
was talking rapidly and with earnestness, though in an 
undertone. They had passed so close to Mike and Wal- 
demar that they could have touched them. 

“ Could you hear anything he said ?” asked Mike. 


308 


THE WRECKERS. 


I thought I heard him say that there cotild be no 
danger in it, and it was his only hope.” 

^‘Sodidl.” 

Then after a pause, Sure there must be trouble 
brewiif.” 

“We will watch to-night and see.” 


CHAPTEK XX. 

TOO liATE ! 

Mr. DeCamp was a shattered man. Gold had been 
his god, and his god had cast him off. The blow, com- 
ing as it did at the very time when he was tottering from 
nervous exhaustion, had levelled him to the earth ; and 
stretching forth a palsied hand, he was ready to accept 
the aid of any one who might be strong enough to lift 
him up. 

“ Put your money into your head,” said Benjamin 
Franklin, “and no one can steal it.” And a greater 
than he has asked, “ What shall it profit a man if he 
gain a whole world full of things and lose himself f’ 

Mr. DeCamp had heeded neither the one nor the other. 
While enjoying time and opportunity, he had never 
cultivated those intellectual tastes which have made 
thousands of poor men rich, surrounded only by the 
favorite authors whom they have learned to love ; neither 
had he ever bowed in sincerity and truth at the feet of 
Him without whom all our life must be incomplete, and 


THE WRECKERS. 


309 


learned the infinite difference between simply having 
good and being good. He had never learned to use this 
world without abusing it ; to put the earth where God 
intended it should be put, beneath our feet. He had 
lifted it above his head, and bowed before it as before a 
Moloch, and it had crushed him. 

Had he, with reverent spirit, ever sought to solve the 
real problem of his being ; had he made his life’s pur- 
pose not. What shall I have ? but. What shall I be ? had 
his aim been first for character, and then for possession, 
he would not have been so utterly forsaken now. 

He was a man who had sought for, and gained, the 
world and in the mean time had been losing him- 
self.” The noblest part of his nature, that which was 
intended to make him Godlike, had been crushed out 
between bricks and mortar ; the man had been exchanged 
for blocks of houses, and bonds and railroad stock. Now, 
when these were removed, the dwarfed pigmy of a soul 
had not the strength to stand alone. It had to lean on 
something ; sooner or later, so must we all. It had 
cultivated neither faith in God nor itself ; Strabelli was 
at hand, and it leaned on him. 

After Waldemar and Mike had stood outside the 
stately mansion for a considerable time, diey saw a light 
appear in the library, and through the large plate-glass 
window they could discover the two gentlemen as they 
took their seats on either side of the centre-table and 
began to smoke. Occasionally Mr. DeCamp would rise 
from his chair and pace the floor, stopping at times be- 
fore the other, lifting his finger as though remonstrating 
or presenting some objection. They noticed, however, 
that Strabelli retained his seat, appearing like one who 


310 


THE WRECKERS. 


was perfectly self-possessed and calm under all circum- 
stances. 

^^I’d give somethin’ to know what they’re sayin’/’ 
whispered Mike. It looks bad whin ye see the devil 
so aisy loike as that man seems to be in there.” 

It’s something new for DeCamp to be so much ex- 
cited,” answered his companion. He must have been 
pretty badly broken up. He used to be as placid as a 
frozen lake in winter, — and as cold.” 

Sure he’s melted now intirely. Look a’ that !” And 
they saw him fling away his cigar, and, using his right 
arm for a cushion, bend over and lean his head against 
the mantel-piece. 

. Yes, I’ve seen a good deal of him, but I never saw 
him act in this way before. Melted ! With that scoun- 
drel so near him, I should think he would be melted. The 
brimstone he carries with him ought to melt an iceberg.” 

After this they remained silent, or spoke together only 
in an undertone, for perhaps two hours or more. Then 
Mike said, hesitatingly, — 

I. don’t loike to lave ye alone, Mr. Grant, but I 
haven’t had any sleep now for three nights ; an’ before 
you came I was that worn wid anxiety that I might 
almost say I haven’t had a good bit of a rest for more 
than a fortnight. Sure I begin to feel a little queer loike 
in me head, an’ if you’ll excuse me lavin’ ye, I’d loike 
to go home an’ have a bit of a rest.” 

Go ; go, my good fellow ; of course go right away,” 
exclaimed Waldemar. I ought to have thought of it 
myself.” 

He looked at the face of his companion as the light 
shone upon it brightly from the window, and for the 


THE WRECKERS. 


311 


first time observed a strange, wild appearance in his eye. 
For several hours before, Mike had experienced an in- 
tense pain at the back of his head ; but his desire to 
remain with Waldemar, and the excitement of the occa- 
sion, had led him to bear it silently as long as possible. 

‘^Go, my good fellow,’’ repeated Waldemar. But as 
he spoke they heard a distant rumbling. They looked 
up at the heavens ; black clouds had been slowly gather- 
ing, like the wing of some great evil spirit hovering 
over the stricken city. 

Hello, we’re going to have a storm,” said Waldemar ; 
and he buttoned his greatcoat up around his chin. They 
had been so deeply engaged in watching the proceedings 
of the two men that they had not noticed the coming of 
the tempest until it was upon them. Suddenly forked 
lightning darted from out the clouds, followed by a 
reverberating crash of thunder. 

Sure that must ha’ struck pretty close.” 

It’s going to be an awful night. I suppose I might 
as well return with you. He certainly would not think 
of leaving in the midst of such a storm as this will be. 
He is surely safe till to-morrow.” 

They stood close together under a tree waiting for the 
pelting rain to subside, but it only increased in force. 
Their shelter soon proved of little avail, for the branches 
dripped with water, drenching them to the skin. Pres- 
ently there came another flash, followed by a peal which 
seemed to shake the very ground on which they stood. 

I think I better be goin’,” said Mike, the pain in his 
head increasing. 

Wait a moment ; it cannot continue like this for 
long.” 


312 


THE WRECKERS. 


The trees swayed and bent in the wind, like living 
giants struggling in death. The autumn leaves fell 
about them at their feet, their feeble hold broken by the 
tempest, and here and there the very branch to which 
they had clung torn from the tree and cast to earth. 
Then the fire-bells began to ring. 

Faith, an’ I believe it must ha’ struck somewhere,” 
said Mike, putting his hand up to his head, looking up 
to the sky to see whether he could discover any signs of 
the storm abating. But another flash and deafening 
peal made them start as the ground again trembled be- 
neath their feet. 

Up the street they heard the hurried clattering of 
horses’ hoofs and the lumbering roll of heavy wheels. 
It was the fire department answering the alarm-bell. The 
engine rattled past, and, turning the corner of the street 
below, disappeared, the noise of its wheels being lost 
amid the vehemence of the wind and rain. 

Look !” cried Waldemar, there’s one of them at 
the porch.” 

Mike looked, and saw Strabelli peer into the darkness, 
and then retire and shut the door. 

“ See that ; he’s put on his hat and coat,” as he ap- 
peared in the library a few moments later. And there’s 
DeCamp with his on, too. I wonder what this can 
mean ?” 

Mike tried to pay attention, but the pain in his head 
had so increased that it was only with difficulty he could 
comprehend what his companion said. When, however, 
he saw the door open and the two emerge into the blind- 
ing darkness and storm, it aroused him once more to 
renewed interest. 


THE WRECKERS. 


313 


“ Go home ; I will watch and follow them.” 

No, not yet. Sure nobody knows whin that divihs 
goin’ to make a spring. Lord helpin^ me, I can stand 
this for a toime yet.” 

The two men turned down toward the city. Mike 
and Waldemar followed them. It was now toward mid- 
night, and most of the streets were deserted. They met 
the fire-engine returning ; the rain had somewhat abated, 
and one or two of the men were walking along the pave- 
ment by its side. They chanced to be passing the win- 
dow of a drug-store which remained open all night when 
they met the men, and by its light Mike recognized one 
of them whom he knew, and replied to the fireman’s 
salutation. 

Bad night to be out,” grunted the man. 

“ Yes,” replied he, and passed on. 

Silence. Nothing heard but the steady dripping of 
the rain, which was now abating, and the occasional faint 
rumble in the distance, like the last shots of a retreating 
army. 

They’re turning down toward the bank,” said Wal- 
demar, who in his eagerness had strayed a few steps in 
front of his companion. He received no response, but 
walked on, supposing that Mike was just behind him. 
Bethinking himself, he stopped that the other should 
come up ; but when he looked back he was gone. Poor 
fellow ! he ought not to have come out to-night,” he 
murmured. He lo6ked sick before we left the house, 
now that I think of it.” 

It was as AValdemar had conjectured ; they were going 
toward the bank. He watched them till they had as- 
cended the steps and entered. Then he hid himself in 
o 27 


314 


THE WRECKERS. 


the shadow of a door-way. An hour passed, broken 
only by the measured tread of the watchman, whom he 
could plainly see from his retreat, though unobserved 
himself, and the occasional shrill Aveird call of his whistle 
when he had reached the limits of his patrol, and the 
answering note from the officer on the next beat, to show 
that they were keeping within hailing distance. 

The storm had now cleared away, and, like troops 
disbanding after a battle, the clouds had gradually dis- 
appeared. The moon shone forth ; and as Waldemar 
had nothing else to do, he fell to thinking of her whom 
he should see to-morrow. He fancied to himself that 
this evening had been but a parable of his experiences ; 
and he rejoiced to think that the clouds Avere already 
breaking away and the light beginning to shine. 

Suddenly, as he Avas engaged in this delightful medi- 
tation, he started at hearing Avhat he imagined to be a 
cry for help. He listened; perhaps he was mistaken. 
No, there it Avas again ; this time muffied as though one 
Avere being stifled, but had succeeded for a moment in 
tearing aAvay the knot. 

^^Help! Help! Murder r 

He hesitated no longer. The cries came from the bank 
building. Reaching the steps, and turning to rush up to 
gain admittance, the door suddenly opened, and a man 
carrying in his hand a satchel dashed into the street. 
Springing upon him, Waldemar threw him to the 
ground, and they rolled down the steps together. It 
was a struggle for life or death. The man lifting a 
billy with one hand, which became momentarily dis- 
engaged, endeavored to strike his captor on the head. 
The other was quick enough to thwart him, hoAvever, 


THE WRECKERS. 


315 


and he received the blow on his arm. While they were 
thus engaged, another man rushed forth, slamming the 
door tight shut after him, and turning a corner, leaping 
into a carriage which stood not far away, where a con- 
federate was in waiting, drove rapidly down the street. 
At last the young man succeeded in planting his knee 
on the breast of his antagonist ; the light from the street 
lamp shone down into his face, and he discovered Stra- 
belli. Only for a moment, however, did he have the 
advantage ; Mike’s greatcoat hindered his contending, 
and the man once more securing the freedom of his 
hands, though he had lost his weapon, with a mighty 
elfort threw Waldemar from him, and by rolling on top 
of him pinioned him to the earth. 

Approaching footsteps were heard, and Strabelli, see- 
ing it was too late to escape, began shouting lustily for 
help. 

Thieves ! Murder ! Murder !” he cried, while 
throwing his body over the face of his antagonist to 
prevent him from crying out. 

An officer quickly approached, sounding his whistle 
while he ran, which was immediately responded to by 
his companion from the next beat, who came hurrying 
up a few minutes later. 

Hold him ! Hold him !” screamed Strabelli. 

The officer drew his club, and flourishing it above the 
young man’s head, bade him stop fighting and submit to 
arrest. 

Hold him Waldemar cried, excitedly, as soon as 
the other had been lifted from him. 

^^Take ’em both in. Bob,” said the first officer at 
last. 


316 


THE WRECKERS. 


The moon shone peacefully down on the city lying 
fast asleep, and all unmindful of the awful tidings which 
should echo from lip to lip, and be repeated a thousand 
times, before the coming sun should set again. It heard 
already the clanging of the presses stamping out the 
news upon the printed sheet, and seeming to cry to all 
the town, Awake ! Awake It looked in through 
the casement of bank and prison. It saw one guilty 
man seated, cool and calm, within his cell, calculating 
his chances, and meditating how he might use them to 
the very best. It saw one true and noble soul charged 
with an awful crime, all helpless and bewildered in his 
innocence. And with the band still bound about his 
mouth, an ugly scar upon his head, it saw another, lying 
on the bank floor — dead. 


CHAPTER XXL 

AN OLD FBIEND ARRIVES AT THE POOR-HOUSE. 

The reason Mike had left so suddenly was because 
he felt the approach of the old symptoms of temporary 
insanity. The constant watching, and the anxiety ac- 
companying it, had proved too great a strain for his 
nervous system; and, already dazed and scarcely ac- 
countable for what he did, he had wandered off, leaving 
his friend to pursue his errand alone. 

The comparatively quiet life which he had been lead- 
ing for the past few years had kept him almost free from 


THE WRECKERS. 


317 


these attacks; only twice had he become their victim 
since his removal to Groveland, and on each of these 
occasions he had felt their approach in time to hasten to 
an asylum a few hours’ railroad ride from the city where 
he was not known, except as a patient without a history. 

As he felt the mania drawing near, the one conviction 
which seized him was that he must reach, as soon as he 
could, this place of retreat. When he had parted from 
Waldemar he had hurried home, and started forth after 
changing his apparel, without waiting for the morning 
to dawn. No train was at the depot, and so he turned 
his steps along the track, as though to walk to what he 
felt to be a place of refuge. His reasoning faculties 
were by this time sufficiently obtuse to fail of convincing 
him of the absurdity of such a step ; so he continued 
walking all night long, satchel in hand, until by the 
morning’s dawn he found himself, weary and worse than 
ever, many miles from home. 

After having wandered a considerable distance he had 
diverged from the line of the track, taking a road which 
ultimately led him to a small village. It was an ordi- 
nary town, just such as the traveller will frequently meet 
in his journeys through any one of the Western States. 

There was the one street where the stores were located, 
some of them built in blocks, but the majority surrounded 
by dismal-looking lots, or rather, yards, with the grass 
worn off, leaving the brown dirt to remind the pedestrian 
of the delights of rural life. There were the occasional 
rubbish-heaps dumped down at the side of the store 
building, and a hog now and then perambulating through 
the principal thoroughfare, and sinking to his knees in 
the mire. There was the corner liquor-store, with its 
27 * 


318 


THE WRECKERS. 


green blinds, and the figure of the corpulent Gambrinus 
over the door, holding in his uplifted hand the gilded 
glass of liquor with wooden foam falling over the sides, 
and the customary number of disciples of pleasure, in 
muddy boots and patched pants, sitting in variety of 
postures on beer-kegs about the door, discussing such 
grave problems as protection and free trade, emphasizing 
their zealous if not learned arguments by exclamations 
which began with a big, big and are so much in 
vogue among gentlemen of this class ; meanwhile (not 
to be found wasting time in idleness) filling in the 
breathing-spaces by industriously squirting tobacco-juice 
over the sidewalk. 

There were the great unpainted board awnings, stretch- 
ing from the store to the gutter, and gathered under them, 
leaning against the posts or reclining on boxes, all types 
of village humanity at rest. It was, in short, one of 
those most home-sickening of all places in the known 
world, a town in the making. 

At about ten o’clock in the morning Mike entered 
this abode of the blessed, weary and faint, not knowing 
where he was, and scarcely knowing what he did. He 
was not capable of reasoning about it, but the exceeding 
desolation of the place made his heart heavy. Seeing a 
hotel, he went in, and staggering up to the counter, asked 
for something to eat. 

I guess you mean somethin’ to drink, don’t you ?” 
And the proprietor looked at his wild and yet worn ap- 
pearance. 

He had not been there long before his insanity became 
more violent. So the sheriff was summoned, and Mike 
was marched off to jail and put into the cooler,” charged 


THE WRECKERS. 


319 


witli intoxication. What he suffered there, alone by 
himself, it were idle to attempt to tell. The crowd which 
gathered outside, and mocked his cries with their jibes, 
thought it rare sport; he, however, within, was living 
over again the experiences of that awful night when he 
wandered through the streets of New York in search of 
Porta, and seeking to kill him in his rage. 

By the close of the next day the sheriff concluded 
that there must be something ailing him besides mere 
drunkenness, and. applied to the county house physician, 
who pronounced him sick, advising that he be removed 
to the establishment under his charge, until he should 
be sufficiently restored to give some account of himself 
and his circumstances. 

For several days he lay there, literally in torment. 
The poor-house being a State institution, and the post of 
overseer, according to the wisdom of ^The best govern- 
ment under the sun,’^ being in the line of political ap- 
pointments, the present incumbent was a gentleman who 
had shown his fitness for such a position by his ability 
to influence the Irish vote at tlie last election. The 
former appointee had been there for many years and 
grown old in the service. No fault had ever been found 
with him ; he was a kind old man, honest as any one 
in all the world, and, withal, not so desirous to secure 
money for election purposes that he would be likely to 
save it out of the amount devoted to the purchase of 
supplies for the inmates of his institution. He had 
been the overseer ever since the election of Abraham 
Lincoln, and had grown to know the wants of the 
people, and how to meet them with the least possible 
expense. The State, however, had recently gone Dem- 


320 


THE WRECKERS. 


ocratic,” and it was necessary to turn the rascals out/' 
because, if they did not, some other rascals might not 
be able to make a living, and that would be too bad. 
So he was convicted of the crime of having voted the 
Republican ticket every year since his installation, and 
he must therefore go. 

Mr. Michael Tipps, accordingly, owing to the promi- 
nent position he had sustained among politicians and the 
benefit he had been to the party, was appointed to suc- 
ceed him ; whereupon he transferred the care of the cor- 
ner liquor-store, previously described, to the charge of 
his son, and assumed the important office of guardian to 
the poor and helpless. 

Whenever, in former times, Mike had been subject to 
these attacks, he had been treated with tenderness, and 
every want supplied. Mr. Tipps, however, having never 
made a study of any other form of insanity than that of 
delirium tremens, called by him the Blue Devils, or, if 
he chanced to be in a playful mood, the D. T., and being 
acquainted with no treatment so efficacious in case of 
violence as that which he had learned at the boxing- 
matches which he had formerly attended when a resident 
of the fourth ward in New York City, had a very simple 
remedy at hand for cases of mental aberration. When 
Mike became violent, he summoned assistance, and 
knocked him down ; and when that did not suffice either 
to quiet him or render him insensible, he proved his 
abiding confidence in his remedy by repeating the same 
treatment as often as necessary, until the desired effect 
had been secured. 

To be sure, during the nine months in which he had 
had charge of the institution two such cases had, under 


THE WRECKERS. 


321 


his treatment, terminated fatally ; but then every phy- 
sician must expect to lose some patients, and such an 
occurrence does not in all instances argue against the 
efficacy of the medicine. 

As the weeks passed by and Mike’s mind began to 
grow clearer, they tried to find out from him the facts 
concerning himself. He, however, persisted in refusing 
all such information, and would have been incontinently 
sent off as a punishment for his recalcitration, had not 
the fact become apparent to the mind of mr. Tipps (as 
he was accustomed to write his name) that there would 
be abundance of means in the well-filled pocket-book of 
Mike wherewith to pay his board and allow something 
handsome besides in the way of remunerating him, mr. 
Tipps, for his arduous labors in knocking him down so 
often. If Hans was only anywhere this side o’ the 
sea,” Mike one day said to himself, as he lay in his bed 
feeling utterly miserable, I believe I’d sind for him, so 
I would.” 

Then the thought crossed his mind that perhaps he 
might have returned to his home in Jenkinstown. He 
knew this was his intention some time, as he had been 
unable to dispose of all his little property before leaving 
for Germany. Finally he determined to write him a 
letter, directing it to the town in New Jersey where he 
might possibly be living, and acquaint him with his cir- 
cumstances. He could trust him ; no one in Groveland 
had thus far known of his attacks of insanity, and he 
was exceedingly anxious that no one should. This was 
the reason he had so steadfastly refused to give any in- 
formation concerning himself. A letter was accordingly 
despatched, after having been read by the authorities, 


322 


THE WRECKERS. 


though not much to their enlightenment, and a few davs 
after who should walk in but Hans himself. 

He was not much changed ; he had been obliged to get 
Katrine to let out the waistband of his pantaloons some- 
what, and he had grown more bald. He wore a short 
coat which he had brought with him from abroad, and 
which on account of its ridiculous brevity, when judged 
by the standard of our own fashion-plates, caused him to 
present from the background an appearance at once strik- 
ing and voluminous. The effect upon the American ob- 
server was usually to provoke laughter at his grotesque 
figure; a liberty which was by no means relished nor 
understood by Hans, who, with characteristic simplicity^ 
believed that garments were made to be worn till they 
were worn out. 

Mike heard his voice in the hallway before he entered, 
exclaiming to his attendant in excited tones of impa- 
tience, — 

Goodness gracious, vas dis der place vere I find mine 
old friend, by chiminey ? Show me dot room right avay 
quick, vere he was already.’^ 

For the first time in many weeks the sick man’s heart 
bounded with gladness. He had scarcely dared to hope 
that Hans had returned, and at the most had only looked 
for a letter stating that some time in the near future he 
would come on ; but here indeed he was, with his happy, 
rollicking, blundering ways, and with a heart as true as 
ever throbbed under a Dutchman’s roundabout. 

“ Eight in here,” said the man, in a slow, sleepy voice ; 
one of the paupers about the establishment. 

Eight in here? No, no; wrong in here. Oh, 
Michael, mine old friend, mine old friend !” wabbling 


THE WRECKERS. 


323 


toward him and putting out his arms, while his voice 
quivered with emotion. I jumps me vild mit joy ness 
to see you already, -but I cries mine eyes oudt to see you 
here.’^ 

Mike, on his part, weak with sickness and ill treat- 
ment, was not prepared to say much, but he pressed the 
hand which that doughty individual thrust into his, pre- 
paratory to putting his arms about his neck and kissing 
him in genuine good old German style. When this 
operation had been performed and Hans had partially 
composed himself, he continued, — 

I don’t vant to be onquisitive, but I feels like I vas 
crazy to know, Michael, vat brings you here ?” 

The ragged pauper still stood in the open door, ready 
to avail himself of any circumstance which might lend 
variety to the monotonous existence of the poor-house. 
Mike looked toward him, and Hans guessed immediately 
that he wished him to leave. 

Get oudt uf here,” he cried, doubling up his fist as 
the hatchet-faced individual stood with open mouth and 
listening ears. You vant to go round und talk about 
somedings behind you back in front of you face ? uh ?” 

The cadaverous person addressed, who in fact was 
semi-idiotic, did not seem to comprehend. So Hans 
shied a boot-jack at him, Avhich caused him to become 
panic-stricken at once and instantly to flee. The Ger- 
man then walked toward the door and closed it. 

Now tell me, Michael, mine old friend, all about it.” 
Resuming his place at the bedside. 

Mike, stopping to rest occasionally and regain his 
breath, related the story of what had taken place during 
the years of Hans’ absence. 


324 


THE WRECKERS. 


Goodness gracious that individual exclaimed when 
he had finished, leaving the story incomplete at the point 
where Waldemar and he had gone -forth to follow De- 
Camp and Strabelli on their way to the bank. I vould 
radder to gif fifty tollar as to know vat dey did down 
dere, und how it all came oudt.’^ Then clapping his 
hands together and resting his chin on his finger-tips for 
a moment, he whispered in a low tone, Michael, vat did 
you say dot feller’s name vas already ?” 

Which one ?” 

Der feller dot vos mit you dot night all around.” 

Waldemar ; Waldemar Grant.” 

Goodness gracious ! Dot was awful strange ; don’t it ?” 

He looked toward a newspaper which he had thrown 
down on the bed wdien he had come in, and slowly rolled 
his eyes toward Mike, as one would do if he were watch- 
ing a slumberer whom he did not wish to awaken. Then 
he stealthily reached out his hand toward the journal. 
Mike, who noticed the strange movement (for his eyes 
were wide open all the time), and who had not seen the 
paper lying there, looked up. 

What do ye want ?” he asked. 

Hans drew his hand back, and tried to assume an un- 
conscious expression, as though nothing in the world 
weighed on his mind. 

Nodings ; I don’t vant nodings,” he answered. 

They remained silent for a few moments, when Mike 
observed a repetition of the mysterious movements on 
the part of his friend ; but the moment he spoke the 
hand was withdrawn as before, and the same expression 
of assumed guilelessness draped the countenance of his 
companion. 


THE WRECKERS. 


325 


At last he thought he would lie still and see what the 
result would be, as the strange conduct of his friend be- 
gan to perplex him. Stealthily the same motions were 
repeated, except that, being this time uninterrupted by 
any exclamation from Mike, the hand was carried a little 
farther until it reached and grasped the paper ; then it 
was quietly and slowly drawn back again, the owner 
keeping watch of Mike meantime, though it was evident 
that the eyes of the latter were as wide open as ever. 

What’s that ?” said he. 

Nodings ; only der morning papers,” stuffing the 
Groveland Journal^ which he had bought on the train, 
into his pocket. Mike was too tired with the occur- 
rences of the morning thus far to make further inquiry, 
and both remained in unbroken silence for a considerable 
time, Hans employing this time in slyly drawing the 
paper from his pocket and reading something in which 
he appeared to be deeply interested ; thrusting it back 
into its hiding-place again whenever Mike looked up or 
ventured a remark. Finally he said, — 

Michaels, if I tells you somedings vill you promise 
not to be oxcited ?” 

Nothing could have been said better calculated to pro- 
duce the result which the good German was so anxious 
to avoid. Mike looked up, while his face flushed, and 
exclaimed, — 

What’s the matter wid ye anyhow, Hans ? Speak 
out an’ tell me what ye’ve got to say. What was in that 
paper ?” 

Oh, goodness gracious, how did you know anydings 
vas in dot papers ? Oh, vat shall I do ? If I tells you 
vat vas in dot papers, you vill be so oxcited as never 
28 


326 


THE WRECKERS. 


vas ; und if I don’t told you, den you don’t know some- 
dings vat you ought to know.” 

What’s in that paper ? Let me have it quick. Is 
anything the matter with Katie? Quick, I say.” 
And lifting himself on his elbow, he reached over and 
snatched it out of Hans’ hand. 

Veil, mine friend, if you must read it, I suppose you 
must. I don’t got no odder vay vat I knows about ; but 
if you get oxcited, und falls more sick as before, it von’t 
be no fault of mine. I did mine very best not to let you 
find it oudt.” 

Where is it ?” And Mike trembled with impatience. 

Over here in der right-hand column on der left-hand 
side.” And Hans pointed with his finger to the place. 
^^But remember, if it makes you sick, mine friend, I 
don’t told you to read it. You can’t read it all, anyhow ; 
half der paper vas gone already.” 

With eager eyes Mike glanced at the paragraph, and 
read : 

There probably has never been a case in this city 
which has excited such universal attention as the trial of 
Waldemar Grant, which is now in progress, for the mur- 
der of his relative and our lamented fellow-citizen, Mr. 
George DeCamp. The proceedings have been delayed 
longer than at first was thought necessary, as the author- 
ities have been seeking to find his supposed accomplices, 
and, if guilty, to bring them to justice at the same time. 
One of them has been secured. It is a pity, however, 
that the other has not yet been heard from. He was last 
seen walking up the track, at a late hour on the night 
of the ghastly crime, but since then all efforts to trace 
him have ” 


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327 


The rest of the article had been printed on one of the 
missing pages, and its contents could therefore only be 
surmised. 


CHAPTEE XXII. 

IN COURT. 

Mike threw down the paper and sprang from his bed. 

Hans/^ he cried, I must go up to Groveland by the 
next stage. 

“ Veil, now, didn’t I told you so? Didn’t I told you 
dot you vould be gettin’ oxcited ? Lie right down here, 
Michael, mine friend. Do you vant to be put into der 
perlice-station, uh ? My gracious, der longer as you live 
der more you don’t know. You act so crazy like a 
lunatic,” seeing that his words appeared to have little 
effect. 

Go down-stairs an’ foind what toime the stage starts, 
Hans, or begorra I’ll start an’ walk, so I will.” 

Hans went out into the hall, and returned in a few 
minutes, when he thought he had been gone long enougli. 

Der stage vas all proke down, Micliael, und it don’t 
go till two veeks from to-morrow.” Then fancying that 
his announcement lacked a certain flavor of probability, 
he added, proke it down mineself.” He stretched 
out his fat little legs and his correspondingly chubby 
arms, and as the other looked at his goodly proportions 
the statement seemed less unlikely. 

Get me a carriage, thin ; quick !” 


328 


THE WRECKERS. 


Hans went out again, not knowing what else to do, 
but determined that if he could prevent it Mike should 
not venture, in his present weak condition, among the 
exciting scenes of the trial. Had he supposed that any 
help could have been rendered to Waldemar, he might 
have felt differently ; but so anxious was he for his sick 
friend that he had not comprehended the necessity of 
his presence at the prisoner’s side. He walked up and 
down the hall, wringing his hands and ejaculating to 
himself, — ^ 

Oh, poor Michael ! Here he vas gone mit der crazy 
again, already. Here he vas getting vorse as he never 
vas before.” 

Finally a happy thought struck him, and running in, 
he cried out, — 

Oh, Michael, mine friend, vat you tinks ? Dey got 
der smallpox dere, und dey don’t let nobody into der city. 
Now I tells yer vat yer do. You crawl back into you 
bed right avay quick, by chiminey, und if yer vants to 
send a message to dot young feller in Groveland, I vill 
take it, by gracious, mine ownself.” 

Delighted with the brilliancy of his suggestion and 
the irrefragable argument with which it was presented, 
he stood in the middle of the room, with his forehead 
wrinkled, his shoulders thrown up, and the palms of his 
hands turned out. 

“ If they wouldn’t let me in, I’d loike to know, be- 
gorra, how ye could get in yourself?” 

Hans sank into a chair and, gazing down at the floor, 
while he laid his finger meditatively along the side of his 
nose, murmured, — 

“ By chiminey !” 


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329 


Soon Mike began to feel the reaction from his nervous 
excitement, and with very exhaustion was at last glad to 
seek his bed. He made one or two more attempts during 
the day to rise, but each time was compelled to return 
again to his pillow. At last he reluctantly consented 
that Hans should go to Groveland in his stead, seeking 
out Waldemar if possible, and if not, his counsel ; learn- 
ing from them in what way Mike could be most useful, 
and convey his willingness to appear at the first moment 
his returning strength should allow. 

The good German accepted the commission, after hav- 
ing unburdened his conscience by acknowledging his at- 
tempts at deception ; apologizing for the same by telling 
Mike that he had feared he was not himself, but had 
gone mit der crazy. 

Early the next morning he started, bearing a letter, 
that Waldemar might know there was no mistake. He 
reached the city before the opening of the court, and, 
joining the crowd, succeeded in securing a place where 
he could see and hear all which transpired. They had 
just concluded listening to the testimony of the witnesses, 
and thus he was in time to hear the prosecuting attorney's 
closing speech. 

It was an odd sight which the court-room presented. 
The many faces were of course strange to Hans, but he 
was able to distinguish readily the fine, open countenance 
of the prisoner, and as he looked into his eyes he felt 
convinced of his innocence. It must be remembered that 
even Mike did not know any of the events which had 
occurred after he had left Waldemar on that memorable 
night. He at this time was tossing restlessly in his bed, 
anxious and oppressed with fearful forebodings lest, in 
28 * 


330 


THE WRECKERS. 


the heat of an encounter, the young man had been be- 
trayed by his impetuosity, and had actually committed 
the awful deed, the bare statement of which he had re- 
ceived so unexpectedly. 

Hans, on his part, felt like cursing all the powers that 
be for even supposing that a young man like the one he 
saw before him could be guilty of such a heinous crime. 
He was almost tempted to rise and propose to the as- 
sembled multitude that they rally en masse and take him 
out of the hands of the blundering officials, who could 
be guilty of so terrible a mistake. 

On the morning when the trial had first opened, Wal- 
demar had found himself by no means alone. The three 
judges and the twelve sapient jurymen (who had evinced 
their fitness for their responsible positions by each one 
swearing that he belonged to the least intelligent class of 
the community, inasmuch as he had neither read nor ex- 
pressed an opinion about the murder which had been in 
everybody’s mouth for weeks) looked down on a gather- 
ing of the very best men in the community, who had 
rallied to show their confidence in the prisoner’s inno- 
cence, and encourage him as they might by their presence. 

This fact argued strongly against the prisoner in the 
minds of several of the intelligent jurymen, because it 
showed to them clearly that a plan was being inaugurated 
for acquitting him simply because he belonged to the 
aristocracy. One of them, moreover, had caught sight, 
among Waldemar’s friends, of a gentleman who had once 
threatened him with prosecution for having sold liquor 
to boys and making them drunk for the amusement of 
his customers. He scowled very fiercely and looked de- 
termined. Two others who had occasionally read some 


THE WRECKERS. 


331 


of the editorials in the Penny Scavenger j and who ac- 
cordingly firmly believed that all capitalists were lying 
awake nights to devise new methods by which to plunder 
and crush the poor laboring man, made up their minds 
before hearing an argument which way they would cast 
their ballots. 

Waldemar, sitting, surrounded by his counsel, glanced 
over occasionally into the faces of his friends, nodding 
pleasantly to such as he recognized, and yet with a cer- 
tain quiet repose which showed that he realized the grav- 
ity of his position. There sat Mr. Russell, who from 
the first, in the face of all rumors and the overwhelming 
evidence at the preliminary examination, had protested 
stoutly that the young man was incapable of the crime. 
There was the white-haired father, leaning on his cane, 
and the mother, her gray locks showing between her pure 
face and the neat bonnet like the white border between a 
beautiful picture and its frame. 

The tears sprang into his eyes when he looked upon 
that face, so sad, so tender, and yet so hopeful. He knew 
she was trying to hide her trouble for his sake, and he 
whispered involuntarily, God bless her P 

But much as he was cheered by the sight of these, 
there was one other face in that group which made his 
heart leap, and prisoner though he was, charged with so 
dreadful a crime that the very thought made his blood 
run chill, he forgot all for the moment, and it seemed to 
him, when he first saw it, that the happiest moment of 
his life had dawned. 

There were the sweet young features which had been 
with him in his dreams through all the dreary months 
of his absence ; the features of her who, every day of 


332 


THE WRECKERS. 


his imprisonment, had come to his cell with flowers. 
She believed in him ! What though the twelve dul- 
lards yonder should condemn him ! What though the 
whole county should assemble to see him hang ! She 
believed in him ; and was not that heaven enough for 
one man? She, and the father yonder, and the old 
mother : they knew he was innocent, what mattered it 
about all the world beside? And that smile was for 
him ! And he felt in that hour that it was worth dying 
for to have a glance like that from the pure soul of the 
girl who believed in him, and came herself to his side, 
when the whole world called him guilty. 

Yes, Katie was there ; and Mrs. Russell. All had 
been explained, and though he had not been able to pre- 
sent the proofs, as he had unfortunately burned the let- 
ters in his impetuous madness, they at least did not need 
anything but his word, let the evidence against him be 
never so strong. They were there, and they believed in 
him. 

His face darkened as he saw, near the table of the 
prosecuting attorney, Strabelli. After Waldemar’s ar- 
rest and his own release, he had hastened to Katie’s side 
to press with renewed ardor his suit, and to condole with 
Mrs. DeCamp. This lady trusted him thoroughly, and 
accepted every statement without a question ; and so the 
public generally, sympathizing with the widow, thought 
as she did. 

^^Was he not dear George’s intimate friend?” she 
would exclaim, if any one dared to suggest the possi- 
bility of his possessing a greater knowledge of the crime 
than he chose to tell. 

That she felt the blow — felt it deeply, as such people 


THE WRECKERS. 


333 


do for the time at least — there was no doubt. When 
she first received tlie news she went into convulsions, 
and for several days was very sick ; but as the weeks 
went by, and Strabelli was constant in his attendance 
upon her, we cannot truthfully deny that she, in the 
secrecy of her own heart (the most secret secrecy of her 
own heart, such as you yourself possess, reader, with all 
the rest of us, into whose chamber she scarcely dared to 
look herself), began to think about that villa near 
Venice, and to wonder how society would take it if she 
should (after a reasonable time of course) become an 
Italian countess. 

He on his part, feeling so secure in the absence of all 
evidence against him save the statement of the prisoner, 
and having learned that though DeCamp had died intes- 
tate there was a fifty-thousand-dollar insurance policy to 
be paid to the widow, resolved to remain stubbornly to 
the end, and then, if he could, pocket the widow and the 
proceeds thereof. If there was no better way of dis- 
posing of her, he could at least take her to a climate 
where she should catch a bad cold. 

Katie having received word from Waldemar in the 
mean time, had repelled Strabelli with indignation and 
scorn. So there he sat, as one of the principal witnesses 
against the prisoner, stroking his moustache, and occa- 
sionally looking from him to her, chafing with anger, 
but resolved that no betrayal of his emotions should 
appear on his countenance. 

At length the lawyer for the prosecution arose, and, 
having addressed the court in respectful terms, and com- 
plimented the jury with unstinted eulogy on account of 
their rare intelligence, he proceeded : 


334 


THE WRECKERS. 


It is with a sense of the most profound regret that I 
find myself compelled by the stern voice of duty to oc- 
cupy a position like this to-day/^ He paused for a mo- 
ment, and amid the intense silence the clock could be 
heard ticking: ao:ainst the wall. 

In the stillness of the night, when the thunder of 
the tempest is over our city, and the bell in the steej^le is 
striking twelve; when the shadows of slumber have 
fallen on the eyes of that great body of law-abiding 
citizens of which this commonwealth is fortunately com- 
posed, one of our most esteemed fellow-townsmen is 
summoned from his house by the ringing of the door- 
bell. A bank watchman is there ; and the information 
is conveyed to this gentleman that the storm has broken 
through the skylight of the bank of which he is the 
honored president, flooding the floor, and calling for his 
immediate presence.’^ 

Wiping his forehead, he continued : An awful mur- 
der was committed, and’’ — hesitating lest he should give 
the opposing counsel an opportunity to interrupt, and 
thus destroy the impressiveness of his speech — and the 
murdered man was the husband of this stricken widow, 
Mrs. Colonel Squealum DeCamp.” 

She took out an embroidered pocket-handkerchief 
perfumed with ottar of roses and dusted her eyes. 

“ It is indeed a sad sight to see a young man, possessed 
of such exceptional opportunities for usefulness as the 
prisoner, brought up amid the amenities of refined society 
and all the accessories of wealth,” — here the reader of 
the Penny Scavenger shut his eyes wisely and opened 
them again, and concluded from the context that ameni- 
ties must mean, in the language of his neighborhood. 


THE WRECKERS. 


335 


‘^big-bugs/’ and accessories spondulix/’ otherwise 
filthy/’ otherwise nuggets/’ — should be charged to- 
day, before a jury of his intelligent fellow-citizens, with 
the commission of that crime.” Here he paused again, 
feeling that an oratorical climax had been reached, and 
he must give the audience time to taste its full sweetness 
before destroying its flavor with the next tidbit. There 
was a slight stir, and then the scratching of the reporters’ 
pencils could be heard by those near by, writing, (sen- 
sation),” (rustle among the audience),” etc. 

When quiet reigned again, the stillness was broken 
by a loud sniffle. The judges turned their eyes toward 
Hans, who sat all unconscious of the attention this ex- 
pression of sympathy elicited. One of them then took 
a pinch of snuff, and the speaker began once more : 

Among all the cases of which I have read, or with 
which I have had professional connection, I grieve to 
say that I have never met with any where the proofs of 
crime have been so thorough and convincing as in this 
which causes us to assemble before this honorable tribu- 
nal.” Here was another chance for a sensational climax, 
and, laying his knuckles on the green-covered table 
before him, and gazing intently down at them, he Avas 
about to give the hungering assembly the full benefit 
of the same. His purpose, however, was discovered 
by the opposing counsel, Avho ruthlessly destroyed the 
effect by rising to his feet and suggesting that the learned 
gentleman confine himself to a statement of facts ; that 
the purpose of their coming together was not to hear 
of the extent of his reading, or of the large number of 
criminal cases in which he had been engaged profes- 
sionally. 


336 


THE WRECKERS. 


Looking up from the green cloth, the other cast an 
angry glance at the speaker, and continued, — 

May it please the court, the testimony, as I have 
already stated, is of the strongest character, and points 
with scarcely the chance of a doubt to the conviction 
that this young man, who had been blessed with such 
exceptional advantages, has, in the declining years of 
his devoted parents, brought to them anguish and dis- 
grace, while staining his own hands with the innocent 
blood of a brother man. 

“We have shown, by evidence which we feel to be 
irrefutable, that this crime was not committed without a 
motive ; and that that motive was first of all jealousy. 
That in some way this misguided youth had gained the 
impression that Mr. DeCamp, his own uncle by marriage, 
was his bitter enemy, and that he had been influencing 
a certain most estimable young lady to transfer her af- 
fections from himself to another person. That that 
feeling of hatred had been strengthened by a most un- 
fortunate feud existing between these two families for 
several years. That he had written a threatening letter 
to the deceased only a few days before the commission 
of the crime, in which he used this expression : ^ The 
time will come when I will make you rue this. I will 
never forget it, and I will never forgive it.’ 

“We have shown that almost immediately after writ- 
ing this threatening epistle he started from the town in 
Germany where his fond parents were supporting him 
at a celebrated university, travelling secretly, and arriv- 
ing in this city without having communicated his inten- 
tion to any one of leaving the place of his studies, except 
to a confederate who met him at the depot, and conveyed 


THE WRECKERS. 


337 


him. in a closed carriage to that confederate’s own apart- 
ments. There they remained together until, when night 
drew on, they sallied forth under cover of its darkness ; 
and at the very time when the doting and trusting parents 
of this unhappy prisoner supposed that he was pursuing 
his studies in a foreign land, he was in truth prowling 
these streets in a borrowed disguise, and in company 
with this person before mentioned, who, though he had 
occupied those apartments for many years previous to the 
murder, on that very night departed, and has not been 
heard from since.” 

Hans placed his hand behind his ear, leaned forward, 
and whispered, By chiminey !” 

We have shown, moreover, an additional motive 
for the perpetration of this crime, in the fact that this 
young man’s father had recently failed in business ; that 
in various letters which he wrote to different parties he 
expressed himself as feeling this failure of his father very 
deeply, and that he looked forward with intensest solici- 
tude to the probability of his being obliged to cease his 
studies and surrender the brilliant prospects which ap- 
peared to be opening before him. That he had, further- 
more, gained the impression in some manner that the 
threatened rupture between himself and the object of his 
affections was in a measure the result of his altered cir- 
cumstances. That on that very night he was found by 
one of the witnesses in this case (pointing to Strabelli) 
leaving the bank with a satchel in his hand, containing 
in bank-bills more than three hundred thousand dollars. 

We have shown that there were in league with him 
two confederates. One a certain Mike Barney, already 
referred to, a former watchman of the bank, and thus 

V V3 29 


338 


THE WRECKERS. 


acquainted with the habits of the deceased, so proving a 
most useful ally in time of need ; the other the watch- 
man in the bank at the time of the murder, who is now 
confined awaiting a separate trial. He too disappeared 
on that night, taking with him his share of the booty, 
fifty thousand dollars, most of which has been recovered, 
with the arrest of the criminal, since this trial began. 
Neither has it been upon the testimony of one or two 
witnesses that this young man has been convicted ; the 
strono^est witness ao:ainst him is himself. 

“We have presented to this honorable court a copy of 
the despatch sent by him to the confederate who has thus 
far eluded the hand of justice, but who was at that time 
passing under an assumed name ; a despatch which, ad- 
dressing him under this false cognomen, says, ^ Am com- 
ing. AVatch him. AYill reward you well,’ and signed 
Waldemar Grant. 

“AVe have shown that this man Barney, eluding ob- 
servation by various devices, was lurking about that place 
until the deceased came to this city ; that then he followed 
him ; that, going to the depot, he there met, evidently by 
prearrangement, the prisoner, and by the testimony of 
the driver who drove them home we have shown that 
when they met he said to this young man, ‘ My name is 
Michael Barney ; but the name you’re to know me by is 
Michael McGuiness. Whist now, don’t say a word.’ 
And that the prisoner answered, ^ Then you are the man 
who is to help me track that villain to earth.’ And that 
this was said on the very day of the murder. 

“ That this hack-driver, fearing foul play from what 
he had overheard, followed them when they went out 
together, in disguise. That he saw them lurking for 


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339 


more than an hour in front of the residence of the de- 
ceased, and that when a terrible storm drove him to seek 
the shelter of his home they were still there. That they 
were seen by some firemen returning from a fire at a late 
hour, following the deceased and his friend Signor Stra- 
belli on their way to the bank ; that when the prisoner 
was arrested, the officers found him trying to release him- 
self from the grasp of Strabelli, who was holding on to 
him and shouting for help. Arriving at the station- 
house he manifested the greatest degree of nervousness, 
accusing his captor with the commission of the deed, — a 
statement which the whole appearance of the other went 
to falsify, together with his intimate relations with the 
family of the deceased ; he, moreover, remaining cool and 
calm, like an innocent person, while this young man made 
several statements, not even consistent with one another. 

And we have shown finally, gentlemen, that the very 
key of the bank building was found in the pocket of the 
greatcoat in which the young man was disguised. Now 
I ask, if he were a guilty man and had been intercepted 
in his flight by this gentleman, what would you suppose 
him to say in his defence? Just what he has had the 
effrontery before this intelligent jury to say, to wit : that 
this key was thrust into his pocket by his captor while . 
he lay across his body pinning him to the earth. 

Here, gentlemen, members of this intelligent jury, 
is the statement of facts as they have been drawn out 
from these reliable and, many of them, unwilling wit- 
nesses. Was there ever proof more complete? Not a 
link missing in all the chain. Was there ever a better 
commentary on those words of holy writ, ^ Be sure your 
sin will find you out’ ? or those other words, which the 


340 


THE WRECKERS. 


awful history of this young man ought to burn into the 
hearts of us all, ' Be not deceived ; God is not mocked ; 
whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap’ ? 

For the parents of this prisoner, yea, for the pris- 
oner himself, we can only feel the deepest sympathy ; 
but we are not here to yield to our sympathies. We 
must carry our brains to-day not in our hearts, but in 
our heads. A great crime has been committed, not 
merely against this man, so suddenly thrust into the 
presence of his Maker, and against this woman, so cru- 
elly bereaved of a fond and indulgent husband, but 
against society. 'No citizen is safe while a murderer 
walks at large through these streets ; and I call upon 
you to-day to give that decision which shall enable you 
to be loyal to the community in w'hich you dwell, to 
your own consciences, and to your God.” 

He sat down amid the most impressive silence. The 
chief judge took another pinch of snuff, and said, — 

The court’s adjourned until two o’clock.” 

His associates gathered about to congratulate him on 
the success of his eloquent appeal. His wife, waiting at 
the court-room door, saw bright visions of a place for 
him in the legislature at the next election. The jury 
filed out; the reporters gathered up their utensils and 
hurried off in different directions to get their copy into 
the printers’ hands; and Waldemar was led back again 
into his lonely cell. 


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341 


CHAPTER XXIIL 

HANS BECOMES INITIATED INTO THE SECRETS OF THE BAR. 

Hans went out, scarcely knowing what to do with the 
letter he had received from Mike. When he had arrived 
that morning there had been no time to deliver it, be- 
cause the court was just beginning its session, so that it 
was still in his possession. He took a turn around the 
block, walking quite fast, his hands in his pockets and 
his eyes bent on the sidewalk, trying to devise some 
method by which he might satisfy his promise to Mike, 
and still avoid the delivery of the letter. 

Dot vas too bad ! Such a nice young man, too,’^ he 
said to himself. Until I vas hear dot man say dem 
tings to dot jury, I vould haf schworn mine lifes avay 
dot he vas innocent, by chiminey ! It vas bad for 
Michael dot he vas in such company. It vas awful 
bad.^’ 

While he was thus soliloquizing, he looked up, and 
who should appear coming down the street but the dis- 
trict attorney, arm in arm with his opposing lawyer, as 
though they were the most confidential friends in all the 
world. 

With open mouth and marvelling eyes he watched 
them, wondering whether he could be mistaken. Xo, 
there they were, sure enough; just as though one had 
never intimated of the other that he was seeking to show 
the depth of his learning or the extent of his practice. 

29 * 


342 


THE WRECKERS. 


They turned into a restaurant, and sat down in the 
farthest corner together. Hans, yielding to his impulse, 
followed them, and took his place at a table near by. 
They glanced over, but seeing only a fresh-looking Ger- 
man intently studying the bill of fare, they took no 
further notice. 

That was a good speech of youi’s, Davis,” he over- 
heard one say to another. 

Well, I think weVe got you. Sad case anyhow, 
take it all in all. Poor fool, why didn’t he know 
enough to cover up his tracks ? What’ll you have ? 
Sherry?” 

No, I never drink anything before making a speech ; 
it goes to my head. Besides that, I’ve got to hurry out. 
You’ve fired off your shot, you know. I’ve got mine 
to fire.” 

Hope you’re loaded. Pretty late to gather up the 
ammunition now.” 

“ Yes, I’m loaded, but I’ve got to look at the trigger 
to see it don’t catch. If I can, I’m going to shoot so 
straight as to cut right through the rope of that noose, 
and get that young fellow off.” 

^^Well, I wish you good luck, but there’s not much 
hope of that, I guess. He’s got to swing,” taking up 
his wineglass, holding it between him and the light, and 
then sipping it as though to test its quality. It’s a 
gone case, Cassius; the evidence is too strong against 
you.” 

I don’t know. You never can tell what a jury will 
do ; especially a jury such as we’ve got this time.” 

What a big set of fools they are, anyhow !” replied 
the district attorney, laughing. There are some of 


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343 


those old rascals I would a good deal rather see hung 
than Grant ; and they’d swing a long sight quicker if 
they had their deserts, too.” 

Hans could scarcely believe his senses. Was this the 
same man whom he had heard addressing that jury in 
the court-room ? 

The most mysterious thing about the case,” replied 
the other, is this disappearance of Barney. I can’t 
reconcile that with what I’ve known of the fellow. Why, 
he’s had a dozen chances to have walked away with 
enough money to have set him up for life, without the 
least necessity of killing anybody to get it, either. I 
think I can read character pretty well, and unless I am 
mightily mistaken he isn’t the kind of a chap to commit 
murder for the sake of murder. I know men in this 
city — Bussell, for instance — who still have such confi- 
dence in him that they would give ten thousand dollars 
to have him turn up in this trial.” 

Well, you know the watchman who is now in jail 
says he received the money which we found upon him 
from Mike Barney.” 

Oh, of course he’d say that to try to prove his own 
innocence. At any rate, I’d like to know where Barney 
is. If he could be found to corroborate some of these 
statements of Grant against Strabelli, there’d be some 
chance against you yet. Good-by ; I must be off. Now 
if you interrupt me in my plea to those intelligent luna- 
tics in the jury-box, and so spoil my best points. I’ll flay 
you alive, old boy. There’s just one hope I’ve got with 
those fellows : if I can get deep enough under their hide 
to find their feelings, if they have any, — get in some of 
the poor broken-hearted old father business, and that 


344 


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kind of thing, you know, — and so fetch out their wipes, 
I may be able after all to get my client into the city of 
Kefuge by the water route/^ 

All right ; toss in the agony. 141 be on the lookout 
for you.’^ 

“ I knew you would be anyhow, so I thought I might 
as well let you know beforehand just what I was going 
to do. Only if you’ve got any mercy in that hard old 
heart of yours,” shaking the hand of his friend cordially, 
don’t be too ready to bring in your objections, and so 
smash things just at the moment when I’m getting them 
in tow ; not for my sake, you know, I don’t ask any 
odds ; I’ll do the very best I can for my client, and there 
my responsibility ceases, but for the sake of the young 
man. He doesn’t look bad ; and then there are his old 
parents. Really, without any bunkum, my heart aches 
for that mother. And his sweetheart ! By George, if I 
had seen him do the deed, and then looked into those 
pleading eyes of hers, and was on that jury, I’d say he 
was innocent this time, but he mustn’t do it again, that’s 
all. So be easy as you can, old fellow.” 

“ Hot a bit of it,” said the other, holding in one hand 
the palm of his companion, and a slice of bread in the 
other. I play my game to win. If I find that I have 
three kings on the board, and my opponent has only two, 
I don’t believe in that nonsense which chases him around 
trying to corner him ; I change right off and beat him 
in the shortest way I can. A game’s a game, you know ; 
and no man who knows himself can afford to lose the 
stakes by dilly-dallying, when he has things in his own 
hand.” 

Good-by.” 


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345 


Good-by. Do your best. Now comes the tug of 
war. Look out for a unanimous verdict this after- 
noon.^’ 

Cassius hurried away, while the district attorney went 
on quietly enjoying his meal. Hans arose and followed 
him out, and when they had reached the street, he called 
quietly, stepping toward him,— 

Hello !” 

Cassius turned to look at him. He stood a few feet 
behind, with his hand up to the side of his mouth, as 
one does when he addresses another in a sort of a stage 
whisper, meant for him alone. 

“ Do you want me ?” 

Yah,” standing still and beckoning mysteriously with 
his forefinger for Cassius to approach. 

Well, if you want me, hurry up, because I’m in 
great haste.” He waited for Hans to advance. 

Vas you a friend to Michael Barney?” 

What do you mean by that ?” 

’Cause if you vasn’t a friend to Michael Barney, I 
don’t got nodings to say mit you ; but if you vas a friend 
to Michael Barney, I haf got some dings to talk vat vas 
a secret.” 

Well, I’m his friend ; go on.” 

You sure dot you vas his friend?” 

Yes, yes, yes ; hurry up.” 

All right ; den I go me right avay mit you. I don’t 
vant dot odder feller to hear,” pointing over his shoul- 
der and putting his mouth close up to his companion’s 
ear. 

They walked away together, and soon reached the office 
of the lawyer. 


346 


THE WRECKERS. 


“ Step right in, my friend ; now be quick, because I 
haven’t any time to spare,” throwing open the door and 
motioning to Hans. 

The German went in and took a seat by the side of a 
table. 

Vas you sure dot you vas his friend?” 

Now, see here ; if you have any communication to 
make to me, go on and stop this confounded nonsense, 
or else get out. I haven’t any time to waste in this sort 
of thing.” He was coming rapidly to the conclusion 
that Hans was a crank. 

Oh, veil ; if you don’t vant to know vat it vas, — 
all right !” turning out the palms of his hands, throwing 
up his shoulders, and shaking his head. I vill go me 
back to Michael right avay quick, und tell him to keep 
his letters mit himself.” He took his hat and started 
toward the door. 

Cassius saw that he had stirred the ire of his visitor, 
and hearing the name of Mike, concluded that perhaps 
it might be well to deal with him more patiently. 

Oh, come, come ; I didn’t mean anything. Sit right 
down. We lawyers get in the habit of speaking quick, 
but it’s all right. Do you come from Michael Barney ?” 

“ How did you know dot ?” 

Have you the letter which he wrote to Waldemar 
Grant?” with the keenness of his fraternity, jumping at 
the truth from the faint suggestion already furnished. 

Hans’ eyes opened wider than before, as he ex- 
claimed, — 

^^Und how did you know dot?” 

Cassius did not reply, but held out his hand. The 
German, dumfounded with astonishment, took the letter 


THE WRECKERS. 


347 


out of his inside pocket and handed it to him, thinking 
to himself meanwhile, — 

‘^Dem lawyers, dey vas strange fellers.” 

When Cassius had finished its perusal, he looked up 
with a keen, searching scrutiny of his visitor. 

Who wrote this ?” 

“ Michael. I saw him write dot letter mit mine own 
eyes.” 

He says here you’ll state where he is. Where is 
he?” 

I don’t tell vere he vas already unless you vas sure 
you vas his friend, and dot you von’t haf him put into 
der station-house.” 

Where is he ?” cried the lawyer, losing all patience 
as he felt the time rapidly approacliing when he must 
appear in court. He slapped his hand down on the 
table with such force as to make Hans jump out of his 
seat. 

Oh, good gracious ! I dinks der house vas falling in, 
by chiminey, mit such a noise like dot.” 

Where is he ? Stop this nonsense and answer me 
directly, or I’ll have you put into the station-house.” 

Hans said nothing, but only stared in bewilderment. 

Do you want to be arrested ?” 

^^Vat? Put into der station-house?” He took up 
his hat and began to move quickly away. ‘^No, by 
chiminey, I don’t know nodings about Michael. I got 
anodder ongagement.” 

See here ; it’s now half-past one o’clock,” exclaimed 
Cassius, walking to the door, locking it, and putting the 
key in his pocket ; in thirty minutes I’m expected to 
appear to make a final address to the jury. If you can 


348 


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speak straiglit, and stop talking like a corkscrew, and 
answer my questions, it may materially alter my course. 
I haven^t a moment to waste. If you refuse to do this, 
I will have you arrested inside of five minutes ; if you 
are willing to act like a sensible man, why, then, all 
right. Where is this Michael Barney ? Sit down,” nod- 
ding his head toward the chair which Hans had vacated. 

The other, with despair in his countenance, went 
slowly back and resumed his place. The excitement 
had driven the name of the town entirely out of his 
head. Putting his finger on one side of his nose, accord- 
ing to his habit when he was troubled, he tried to think. 

Where is Michael Barney The question came 
with the crack of a torpedo, lifting him partly out of 
his seat. 

In bed.” 

Where in bed ?” 

In der poor-house.” 

What poor-house ?” 

Dot poor-house vere der vas dot idiot who showed 
me into dot room all around, und den stood like a fool 

lookin’ in at dot door, und ” He had his arm 

lifted about to illustrate the manner in which he had 
shied the boot-jack at him. 

Where is the poor-house ; what’s the name of the 
town ?” 

Oh, der place vere he vas ?” 

Yes, yes, yes, yes.” 

Oh, der place vere he vas? Let me see.” He 
turned his pockets inside out in his endeavor to find the 
note which Michael had originally written to himself 
stating where he could find him. At last he brought it 


THE WRECKERS. 


349 


forth, and held it up, deliberately, trying to make it out. 
Exasperated beyond all self-control, Cassius snatched it 
from him and began to read it himself. 

Skunk’s Hollow ? Is that the place where Barney 

is?” 

Oh, yes ; dot vas him every dimes. Skunk’s Hol- 
low. Him vas der feller.” 

Cassius took down some of Mike’s other communica- 
tions which had been placed in his hand by Waldemar 
and others, and compared them with the letter. Having 
convinced himself that the handwriting was the same, 
he said to Hans,— 

“ Will you stay here till I return ?” His visitor hesi- 
tated, but finally answered, — 

^^Yah.” 

I don’t suppose you’d object to my locking the door 
for a few minutes ?” 

No, I vill lock it mineself ” 

Taking no notice of this suggestion, Cassius left the 
room, and turned the key on the outside. 

‘^Dem lawyers, dey vas strange fellers,” repeated 
Hans, when he found himself a prisoner. 

The other hastened to consult with his associate coun- 
sel and Waldemar, and soon returned. 

I must request you to remain with me, and we will 
go together to see this man, if I can secure an adjourn- 
ment of the case.” 

To this proposition Hans very readily assented, and 
since the hour had now arrived for the court to resume 
its session, he accompanied the lawyer in. 

The room was thronged ; and as they entered and sat 
down near the green-covered table, the expectant multi- 
30 


350 


THE WRECKERS. 


tude were talking together in a loud murmur. The re- 
porters had gathered, and while one or two were sharp- 
ening their pencils, others were laughing at some amusing 
circumstance which had happened just before they entered. 
Several country people, who had driven twenty miles to 
be present at the final summing up of the case, were 
cracking peanuts, and firing the shells, with the help of 
the thumb-nail and forefinger, over on the unsuspecting 
heads of their acquaintances sitting in the second row in 
front, and then giggling hysterically when the target 
turned round and told them to keep their shucks to 
themselves.’^ 

A spectator chancing to come in might have supposed 
that it was a gathering of people to decide on the pre- 
liminary steps for the celebration of a festival. He 
surely never would have guessed that on the other side 
of that oak door there was a human heart waiting wea- 
rily for the jailer to come to lead him forth to receive 
to-day the sentence of life or of death. Presently the 
door opened and Waldemar entered, accompanied by a 
guard on either side. He took his place near his coun- 
sel, and for a moment the murmur sunk away, and all 
eyes were turned on the man who was probably so soon 
to die on the scaffold. The people from out of town 
stopped eating their peanuts, and craned their necks that 
they might get a better view of him. 

The opening of the proceedings, however, was delayed 
by the tardiness of one of the judges, so that soon the 
hum of voices was heard again and the surreptitious 
merry-making went on as before. When at last the 
judge came shambling in and resumed his seat, the 
audience became silent, when the marshal with the staff 


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351 


in his hand cried out, Hear ye ; hear ye ; hear ye 
and tlie court was opened. 

All felt that the important hour had arrived. The 
final appeal was now to be uttered, and then the verdict 
to be brought in. Bets had been laid with large odds, 
by some who had watched the trial from the beginning, 
that the jury would decide without leaving their seats. 

The prosecuting attorney looked confident, and Stra- 
belli, who sat with Mrs. DeCamp, was as self-possessed 
as though in the parquet of the opera-house waiting for 
the curtain to be rung up. Mr. and Mrs. Bussell could 
not refrain from appearing troubled, and Katie wore a 
veil to hide her eyes, which were swollen with weeping. 
The mother, with her sweet face, was there, and close 
beside her the father, with a sad, serious countenance, and 
leaning upon his cane. 

He’s a mighty handsome feller to be a murderer,^^ 
said one man to his companion. 

Yes, he doesn’t seem to care much, does he ?” 

^^He cares more’n you think. I tell you he’ll die 
game ; he ain’t no chicken.” 

Some of the jury were congratulating themselves that 
the time of their confinement was almost ended, and 
were rejoicing in the anticipation of celebrating their 
freedom with appropriate ceremonies, which meant get- 
ting ingloriously drunk. Others were looking forward 
to the hour of their deliverance with an equal degree of 
secret bewailment, inasmuch as they had never been able 
to earn such good wages in their lives before as they had 
received while thus fulfilling the duties of citizenship in 
a public capacity. 

Finally Cassius arose amid the profoundest silence. 


852 


THE WRECKERS. 


“ May it please the court, I desire to move an adjourn- 
ment of these proceedings until Monday morning. We 
have just learned of the whereabouts of a witness whose 
presence is most essential to prove the complete innocence 
of the prisoner.’’ 

Davis was on his feet at once. Waving his hand as 
though throwing his arguments at the head of the hon- 
orable court, he objected to the motion. Abundant time 
had been given, and he felt assured that this was only a 
ruse on the part of the defence to annoy the prosecuting 
attorney, the honorable business men in the jury-box, 
who had been altogether too long detained from their 
families and their various callings, the witnesses, who 
were retained with large expense to the State and great 
personal inconvenience, and the honorable judges them- 
selves, who, with other cases awaiting them, must now 
be delayed longer, simply to give the opposing counsel 
opportunity to dilly-dally and waste the time of all con- 
cerned. It was simply, to use a term which had unfor- 
tunately become too common in our legislative halls, 
filibustering ; nothing but filibustering, sir.” He there- 
fore opposed most strenuously the proposition of the 
learned gentleman on the other side for any adjournment, 
and urged that they proceed without delay. 

The friends of the prisoner, who saw in all this a ray 
of returning hope, leaned forward eagerly, trying to 
interpret its meaning. 

Who are these witnesses?” asked the judge. 

May it please the court, I have here in my hand a 
letter from Michael Barney, who for weeks has been sick 
in another town, and has only just received information 
of what has happened in our Jiiidst. He would have 


THE WRECKERS. 


353 


been present at this date had he been able to leave his 
bed. As he has unfortunately been incapacitated from 
coming himself, he has sent a messenger, who has but just 
now delivered to me this letter, of the genuineness of 
which there is every proof. 

“ If this honorable court will consent to the adjourn- 
ment, we will pledge ourselves to have this witness pres- 
ent by Monday morning, even if he has to be brought 
in on his sick couch.” 

There was a whispered consultation among the judges. 

^^The court’s adjourned till Monday morning,” said 
one of them. 

The crowd moved toward the door, and the visitors 
who had driven twenty miles to hear him pronounced 
guilty, said as they went out, munching their peanuts, — 

“ Oh, pshaw !” 


CHAPTER XXIY. 

FOUND OUT ! 

^^What is your name?” asked one of the lawyers, 
when Mike, haggard and weak, was assisted up into the 
witness-box. 

“ Michael Barney.” 

‘^You have come here of your own accord, Michael?” 
Yes, sir.” 

What did you come here for ?” 

To save an innocent man, your honor.” 

Barney, have you had any communication with the 
30 * 


X 


354 


THE WRECKERS. 


prisoner since the night you left him, — the night in which 
the murder was committed ?” 

^^No, sir.” 

Now remember, you are on your oath. Tell us what 
you know of the reasons for this unexpected return of 
Waldemar Grant to Groveland.” 

Mike, in reply to this and other questions, some of 
which were interrupted by objections from the opposing 
counsel, proceeded to detail those facts with which the 
reader is already acquainted, concerning his following 
Strabelli out of the bank, of his discoveries at the hotel, 
of his communicating with Waldemar, and the circum- 
stances under which the despatch was sent. His account 
accorded with that previously given by the young man, 
except that it contained much which he had not been able 
to convey to Waldemar during the brief time they had 
been together on the day of their meeting. 

During the recital, Strabelli sat stroking his moustache, 
with a cynical smile playing on his lips, and occasionally 
whispering in a nonchalant way to Mrs. DeCamp. 

When Mike had told his story with the straightforward 
manner of a man who only desires to relate the truth, the 
lawyer who was questioning him said, — 

Now, Barney, there is one statement of yours which 
you have not explained. You say you followed Signor 
Strabelli out of the bank. If you were not in league 
with the prisoner at that time, what led you to do that ?” 

Because I suspected him of bein^ a dishonest man.” 

You suspected him of being a dishonest man. Why ?” 

For the first time during the examination of which 
this is only the briefest synopsis, Mike hesitated ; the 
prosecuting attorney fixed his eyes on him, and a sar- 


THE WRECKERS. 


355 


donic smile rested on the face of Strabelli. It was 
evidently a pivotal question, and when the witness fal- 
tered, there were those who thought that now his testi- 
mony would break down. Finally, taking a swallow, 
and looking uneasily over to where Katie sat, he an- 
swered, — 

Because — I knew him — a good many years — ago.’^ 

There was an unconscious pathos in his tone, as now 
for the first time he found himself forced to make refer- 
ence to the days of his grief. 

^^How did you know him a good many years ago? 
Bemember, Barney, you’re on your oath.” 

Again he hesitated, but said at last, — 

I knew him when he committed a great crime ; but 
he passed under a different name thin.” 

What was his name then ?” 

Porta ; Antonio Porta.” 

Strabelli’s countenance changed, and his eyes flashed 
from under his contracted brows ; but he was a man of 
nerve, and though taken thus utterly by surprise, he only 
leaned forward and peered into the face of the witness. 
It was not strange that one who had seen him once should 
fail to recognize now the happy, rollicking Irishman of 
those old days, when, with his Maggie, and his little 
Katie by his side, he would not have changed places with 
any prince who sat clad in purple. His hair had become 
as white as snow, making him seem many years older 
than he really was. There were deep lines in his face, 
and his recent sickness had altered his appearance even 
more than before. His very voice was changed from the 
gay hilarity of those days, when the boisterous mirth with 
.which he was accustomed to greet his little family on re- 


356 


THE WRECKERS. 


turning from the store had often shocked that sense of 
refinement in Maggie which, unless accompanied by a 
generous nature, is likely to narrow our sympathies, and 
make us cruelly to wound some of the noblest and most 
unsuspicious hearts in all the world. His tones were quiet 
and subdued enough now to have pleased even her, if she 
had been present ; and there could have been for her no 
greater retribution than to have beheld him now. His 
hands trembled and his face was pale. 

A drink o’ water, plaze.” It was handed to him, 
and he drank. 

What crime did you know him to be guilty of?” 
Here an objection was offered, but was overruled by the 
court, because the defence was trying to establish a suf- 
ficient motive for his following Strabelli other than being 
in league with the prisoner. 

Go on, Barney. What crime did you know him to 
be guilty of?” 

I’d-I-I-I’d rather not tell, your honor.” 

There was a whispered consultation among the lawyers, 
and then his questioner said, — 

“It will be necessary, in order to substantiate your 
former statement.” 

Silence itself could not be more still than tlie court- 
room was during the few moments in which they were 
waiting for Mike’s reply. Passing his hand over his 
forehead and taking another drink of water, he answered 
in a low voice, but so clear and distinct that it could be 
heard at the farthest corner of the room, — 

“ He lured away from me a wife, who was a true and 
good woman to me until he deceived her an’ wrought her 
ruin; he carried away my choild, an’ destroyed the 


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357 


happiest home there was in all the world ; — an’ he broke 
my heart.” 

There was no revenge in his tone, but that deepest of 
all sorrow, the sorrow which shrinks from utterance. The 
lawyer sat quiet for a moment, with his eyes on the wit- 
ness, and drumming lightly with his pencil on the table 
in front of him. It seemed as though even he shrank 
from uncovering that wound. 

Michael, was it any spirit of revenge which led you 
to pursue him and try to render nugatory his attentions 
to Miss Russell ?” 

“ Revenge ? Lor’ bless you, sir, no. I’m gettin’ to 
be an old man now ; old before my toime. I shall soon 
pass away. It wouldn’t be becomin’ to the loikes o’ me 
now to be thinkin’ o’ revenge. ‘ Vengeance is moine ; I 
will repay, saith the Lord.’ But Lor’ bless you, sir, I 
couldn’t stand by an’ see a man that I knowed to be a 
bad man loike that ruin my own choild, my little Katie, 
as he ruined her mother more’n twelve year ago.” 

When he had begun the sentence he did not know 
how it would close. Unintentionally he had been be- 
trayed into a revelation of the secret which he had 
thought to have died with him. His voice had sunk 
quite low now. The lawyers, the very judges on the 
bench, seemed to forget where they were, and bent for- 
ward, every eye fastened on the witness, and every ear 
strained to catch his slightest word. His interrogator, 
guessing at the truth, asked, — 

What do you mean by that • is your child present ?” 

“ Yes, sir.” 

Where is she ?” 

He hesitated again, casting a half-helpless, pleading 


358 


THE WRECKERS. 


look at the judge ; then pointing to Katie, he said, in a 
stifled tone, — 

Over there, sir.” 

Miss Russell ?” 

Yes, sir.” 

There are some scenes which the painter can never 
delineate ; he can only suggest. It would be an auda- 
cious hand which should attempt to depict a spectacle 
like that which was presented when these words were 
uttered. 

Then slowly and hesitatingly, in answer to the ques- 
tions asked him, he went on to tell how he had vainly 
searched for her until at last he found her, as the adopted 
child of Mrs. Russell ; of his voluntary sacrifice for her 
sake ; and of how through all the lonely years he had 
watched over her, though none knew of it save himself ; 
hoAV this had led him to track Strabelli and discover the 
forgery ; and how, when he knew of his coming to the 
city with Mr. DeCamp, he followed him, because he 
feared that, having been foiled in his wicked efforts 
there, he might be led to commit some other crime ; of 
how the constant watching had unsettled his mind ; of 
the coming of Hans, and why it was that he had not 
appeared sooner to testify in behalf of Waldemar. 

It’s a lie,” whispered Strabelli, with an oath, when 
he had finished. But just then an officer tapped him on 
the shoulder, and said, — 

I have a warrant for your arrest.” 

It had become pretty well understood in the court- 
room who Strabelli was, and when the spectators saw 
him, with pale face and angry, lowering look, walking 
out in charge of the officer, they could restrain them- 


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359 


selves no longer, but broke out in one deafening round 
of applause, mingled with hisses, which all efforts proved 
futile to quell, until the door had safely closed behind 
them. 

The time had now come for adjournment, and the 
crowd dispersed to reassemble in the afternoon ; but few, 
if any, of them guessed the still greater surprise which 
was awaiting them then. 


CHAPTER XXy. 

GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY ? 

When the court assembled in the afternoon Mike was 
not present. The effort endured in travelling, and the ex- 
citement of the morning, had thoroughly exhausted him, 
and immediately after the morning session he had been 
conveyed to his cot. Mr. and Mrs. Russell insisted 
on his being taken to their own house, but he wished 
to be carried instead to his old lodgings ; so they bore 
him very tenderly up the same stairs which the tired feet 
of Jane had climbed so often, on whose steps Katie, poor 
and ragged, had sat and cried over the sale of her bird, 
and down which she had followed the form of her friend 
on that morning when all the world seemed to be clad in 
darkness and the light of life to have gone out. He was 
very weak, and the doctor said that unless he could have 
perfect rest and the tenderest nursing, he would not be 
likely to live long. 


360 


THE WRECKERS. 


Neither was Katie present that afternoon. It was the 
first time during the trial that she had been absent. 
Waldemar felt a sinking of the heart when he discovered 
that her place was not filled, but only for a moment ; for 
his lawyer gave him a letter in her handwriting, telling 
him to be of good courage, that all would yet be well ; 
that while she longed to be present at his side, she felt it 
was a small sacrifice which she was making in leaving 
liim that she might take care of Mr. Barney (she could 
not yet bring herself to call him father), when compared 
with that sacrifice which all these years he had been 
making for her ; but she bade him put his trust in God, 
promising that she would not cease to pray that he might 
be delivered from the hands of all his enemies. 

Hans, who had scarcely been able to restrain himself 
till the conclusion of the examination, and had more than 
once during the morning come very near being arrested 
for contempt of court by interrupting the proceedings 
with his emphatic endorsements of his friend’s state- 
ments, was very desirous of staying with him also ; but 
the doctor had strictly forbidden it. 

He must have perfect quiet,” he had said. 

So the disconsolate but happy German was borne away 
to the mansion of Mr. Bussell, where, with no fear of 
the lawyers before his eyes, and with no further danger 
of arrest for being over-communicative, he might confirm 
each one of the statements of Mike, enlarging without 
let or hindrance from the court on the goodness of his 
friend. This he continued to do, to the full delight of 
his listeners, until it came time for them to leave in order 
to be present at the continuation of the trial. 

During the morning Mrs. DeCamp had seen and rec- 


THE WRECKERS. 


3G1 


ognized him. The circumstances under which she had 
met him in the hotel in New York had been of a char- 
acter calculated to impress his image vividly upon her 
mind. 

She had never been a bad woman ; her faults were the 
result of vanity and thoughtlessness rather than of any 
premeditated evil. And when she saw Hans once more, 
and by the recital of Mike’s story was led to recall that 
day long ago when the Irishman had pleaded so earnestly 
in behalf of his friend, she rejoiced to think that she had 
finally listened to him and granted his request. 

She had loved Mr. DeCamp as much as a woman can 
love whose thoughts are so completely centred on her- 
self ; and the revival of the old memories touched a ten- 
der spot in her heart, for it recalled the time when he 
was with her, and had at least appeared to love her, be- 
fore the bickerings of later years had driven them apart. 
It sent a shudder through her frame to think of the reve- 
lations wliich had been made concerning Strabelli ; to 
find that at the very time to which he had often referred 
(for she had been so completely enamoured of him 
that she remembered even the dates he had mentioned), 
that at the very time he had represented himself as en- 
countering many heroic adventures in the vicinity of 
Venice, such as were only to be expected from a count 
at least, even then he was carrying on an amour with, 
a young Irish woman, the wife of a common grocery 
keeper. 

She hated him ; and as she hated him, she sympathized 
with all the rest who seemed to her to be the victims, 
equally with herself, of his vile machinations. So she 
sent around to Mrs. Russell’s an invitation for Hans to 
31 


Q 


362 


THE WRECKERS. 


take tea at her house, while at the same time she called 
in person at Mike^s apartments to tell him of her con- 
viction of the truthfulness of his testimony. 

It was with a good degree of hope that Waldemar^s 
friends took their places near him when the court was 
called to order. All the circumstantial evidence against 
him had been, as they thought, destroyed, and there re- 
mained now simply a question of veracity between him 
and Strabelli. Even they, however, were not looking 
for the revelations about to be made. 

‘^Mr. Boston will please take the stand,’^ said the 
counsel for the defence. 

An elderly gentleman, with a large, round, kind face 
and a thoughtful eye, took his place in the chair. It 
was the old friend of Mike’s with whom he had con- 
sulted previous to sending the despatch to Ireland ; one 
of his former customers, and the one who had expressed 
such genuine sympathy for him at the time of his 
troubles. 

For a long while Mike had so carefully concealed liis 
whereabouts from his former acquaintances, lest the 
secret which he zealously cherished should become in 
some way known and Katie’s parentage discovered, that 
Mr. Boston had long ago supposed that he was dead. 
One of the first questions asked, however, by Cassius 
when he met Mike had been if there was any one who 
could verify his statements in reference to Strabelli. He 
had referred to him, though he knew nothing of his 
present place of residence ; but Hans, who had recently 
met him, was able to give his business address in Kew 
York City. A despatch was immediately sent urging 
him to hasten on. He had taken the night train, and 


THE WRECKERS. 303 

arrived in Grovetown about an hour before the time for 
his appearing on the stand. 

There was some questioning whether his evidence 
should be listened to, but as one of the strongest points 
in the argument of the prosecution had been that unless 
Waldemar and Mike had entered into a conspiracy to 
rob and murder the deceased there was absolutely no 
motive for their strange conduct on the night of the 
crime and prior to it, it was finally admitted as tending 
to break down that line of attack. 

His testimony was given very succinctly, occupying 
in all only perhaps from fifteen to twenty minutes. One 
of Waldemar’s counsel then arose and said, — 

We have now to introduce a witness who has come 
to us unexpectedly and of his own accord. He is the 
one person who can unravel that which remains to be 
unravelled in connection with this strange case, — a case 
in which, I think we may say, a man whom we shall prove 
innocent beyond all peradventure has, by a curious com- 
bination of circumstances and the cunning villainy of 
the actual criminal, come so near being pronounced guilty 
of a bloody crime. 

The one person who, on that awful night, stood by, 
and Avith his own eyes beheld the deed, has until this 
time persisted in the declaration that the murderer was 
this young man. When, however, this morning he saAV 
Porta, alias Strabelli, pass his cell in company with an 
officer, and learned of his arrest, his bravado forsook 
him, and he communicated to us his willingness to turn 
State’s evidence and tell all he' knew about the case. 
John Coffin Avill now take the stand.” 

A guard disappeared through the great oaken door, 


364 


THE WRECKERS. 


and presently came in leading a young man of about 
twenty-five years. 

What is your name 

''John Coffin.’^ 

" Where is your residence ?” 

. " For the last three months my residence has been in 

Groveland ; before that, most anywhere.’^ 

" What has been your occupation in Groveland 

" Night watchman in the First National Bank.’’ 

" Who employed you in this capacity ?” 

"Mr. DeCamp, not long after Michael Barney had 
left the place vacant.” 

" How did he come to give you this position ?” Here 
an objection was made that John Coffin could not be 
expected to interpret the motives of the deceased. The 
form of the question was therefore changed, that he 
might speak only of what he actually knew. 

" How did you come to get this position ?” 

" Antonio Porta wrote to me that he had grown quite 
intimate with Mr. DeCamp, and that if I would enter 
into a plan which he suggested, he would secure it for 
me.” 

" Who is this Antonio Porta ?” 

" The man who has been known here as Signor Stra- 
belli.” 

" Where did you first meet him ?” 

" In the State’s prison at Joliet.” 

"Were you both prisoners there?” 

" Yes ; he for forgery, and I for burglary.” 

" Hid not Mr. HeCamp require letters of recommen- 
dation concerning your character ?” 

" Yes, sir.” 


THE WRECKERS. 


365 


What letters did you present 

Some which were forged by Porta. These purported 
to come from various business men in the East.’^ 

When he met you first in the prison, what did he 
say to you 

We occupied the same cell. He told me he was one 
of the most expert forgers in the country ; and that 
because I was a graduate from college, and was sup- 
posed to have considerable intelligence, we might work 
together when we came out and make a pile of money. 
He said that he had some laid by already in some bank 
in the East, where he kept it under an assumed name; 
and that, when we were released, we might concoct 
together some scheme.^^ 

What did you tell him 

I told him that as his time expired sooiier than mine 
did, he might be looking around, and if he saw a good 
opening, let me know when I got out.’^ 

When did you get out 

About four months ago ; and he three months earlier.” 

Wlien did you next meet him?” 

I met him by appointment at the town of Hunting- 
ton, about ten or twelve weeks since.” 

What did he say to you ?” 

He said that he had a scheme on hand at present by 
which he expected to make a lot of rnoney by marrying 
some girl at the Mountain House, where he was stopping. 
Pie said he had got into the good graces of an old woman 
there, who had introduced him to this girl.” (At this 
point Mrs. DeCamp silently determined that she would 
move heaven and earth to have him hung.) He said 
that he had been seeking her for years, because he knew 
31 * 


366 


THE WRECKERS. 


something about her that nobody else did ; and that the 
man who should marry her could get a big pile and then 
skip if he chose.^^ 

What did he say he knew about her Objected to, 
and the question ruled out. 

What did he say of his plan in reference to her 

He said that he had never been able to find out her 
whereabouts until he had got out of the jug, — that is, 
the prison, — but that he had at last got hold of a clue, 
which he had worked up and had found her.^’ 

What else did he say 

He said that there was a possibility of this scheme 
falling through, because, while the old woman bit like a 
porgy, — that was his expression, — ^the young one wouldn’t 
touch the bait ; but that if this should fail, he saw a chance 
in another dit-ection.” 

Go on.” 

He then proposed to me that he should work me in 
at the bank, by means of the influence he had gained over 
Mr. HeCamp ; that I should accept the position of night 
watchman there, so as to be in with him in case we could 
agree on a plan to rob the safe. The day before the mur- 
der he met me in town under the bridge by appointment, 
just as the clock was striking twelve. We walked down 
along the river-bank that we might not attract attention. 
Then he told me that the game was ’most up ; that some- 
body had got on his track. He then proposed that he 
should arrange to get Mr. DeCamp down to the bank 
that night, under some pretext, and that we should com- 
pel him to give us the combination of the safe.” 

Was that the day of the murder ?” 

^^No*; he failed to come, and the next day he met me. 


THE WRECKERS. 


367 


and said he had a better plan ; that DeCamp was very 
despondent because he had lost so much money, and that 
he thought he could persuade him to undertake the rob- 
bery himself. Of course he was not to know that I 
knew anything about it ; but when he had opened the 
safe, we were to fall upon him, bind and gag him, and 
then clear out. AVe had two satchels prepared in which 
to put the swag, — I mean the money. It went all right 
until we attempted to gag DeCamp. He resisted and 
commenced to shout for help. Then Porta struck him. 
I do not think he intended to kill him ; but he did. He 
took up his satchel and turned to escape while I was fill- 
ing mine. A moment after, I attempted to leave and 
saw him wrestling with some person on the ground. I 
jumped into a buggy which was in waiting around the 
corner, and drove off* with another man who was our 
confederate.’^ 

Who was he ?” 

James Brake ; some one whom we met in the prison. 
We got off, and I divided the swag with him. He es- 
caped, and I was caught.” 

“ Did this man, AValdemar Grant, have any connection 
with this robbery and murder in any way ?” 

No, sir ; not in any way.” 

That will do.” 

The cross-examination then took place, in which the 
prosecuting attorney sought by every means to destroy 
the force of his testimony, but without success. 

The next witness summoned was the keeper of Joliet 
prison. They had not expected to be able to secure his 
presence until the following day ; but in answer to a de- 
spatch, they had received the information that he was 


368 


THE WRECKERS. 


stopping on business at a little town not far from Grove- 
land. They wired him at once, and he arrived just in 
time to take his place on the stand. 

Pie confirmed all which had been said in reference to 
the confinement of Porta and Coffin under his care, and 
stated that the former was one of the most dangerous 
forgers in the country : that since he had left the prison 
he had been guilty of such an offence, for which he was 
already wanted in a neighboring State. 

When he had completed his testimony, and the pros- 
ecuting attorney had had an opportunity to address the 
jury, which he did in a very few words, not even once 
complimenting them on their rare intelligence, Cassius 
arose and said that his utterances, like the learned coun- 
sel for the prosecution, would be very few in number. 
He felt that to any man capable of receiving truth the 
evidence was sufficient without any further persuasion on 
his part. After he had sat down, the judge delivered 
the charge, and then the jury retired. 

There had been a strong expectation on the part of 
many in the audience that they would have returned 
their verdict for the defendant without leaving their 
seats ; and when they had disappeared through the great 
door, all felt there could be no doubt that they would 
return immediately with the anticipated announcement. 
When, however, ten minutes, twenty minutes, half an 
hour had gone, and there was no sign of their coming, 
evidences of uneasiness began to manifest themselves. 
It certainly did not seem possible except to the lawyers, 
who had had similar experiences with juries before, that 
they could bring in any verdict save for acquittal. 

They may possibly disagree.” 


THE WRECKERS. 


369 


Possibly ; but on what ground 
You never can tell ; I’ve known juries to go dead 
against evidence as clear as this.” 

Thus the lawyers conversed among themselves ; while 
the spectators laid their wagers on the result and waited 
impatiently for the coming of the twelve men who held 
in their hands a human life. An hour passed by ; not 
a man had stirred from the court-room ; another hour ; 
another. It was past supper-time ; the marshal had lit 
the lights, and the gas sputtered above the scene, and 
still none had left but the reporters, and they only long 
enough to find some one to whom they could intrust their 
copy to be carried to the office. People had grown weary 
of talking to one another, or had talked themselves out, 
and had generally subsided into expectant silence. Some 
had fallen asleep, including one of the judges ; others 
began looking at their watches, and thinking they would 
have to go home. 

Just as the hand on the old dingy clock, with the 
paint on its once white face scratched and marred as 
though it too had experienced a lawsuit and been worsted 
in the struggle, was creeping on toward the first quarter 
of another hour, the door opened and a messenger came 
in hurriedly and whispered to the judge, who spoke to 
the marshal, who called the court-room to order ; and a 
few moments later the jury walked in. 

‘^Gentlemen of the jury, do you find the prisoner in 
this case guilty or not guilty ?” 

For ^ moment the only sound which could be heard 
was the old clock ticking against the wall and the gas 
sputtering from the imperfect jets. Then came the an- 
swer from the foreman, — 
y 


370 


THE WRECKERS. 


Not guilty.’’ 

How the court-room rang, while cheer followed cheer ! 
Women stood on the seats waving their handkerchiefs, 
and men, tossing their hats into the air, shouted as though 
very Bedlam had been let loose. The judges, sitting 
back in their chairs, did not even try to restrain the 
outbursts of wild delight; it would have been indeed 
impossible. 

When the final words had been uttered and the trial 
declared at an end, the throng pressed about Waldemar, 
each one seeking to be the first to grasp his hand. They 
would have borne him upon their shoulders if they could 
have gained his consent. With the greatest difficulty he 
was at last able to release himself from them and ac- 
company his lawyer into a side room, that he might be 
alone with the little circle of his own chosen friends. 

At last, when the group had entered and the door had 
been made secure against intruders, first came the old 
mother, throwing her arms about his neck, kissing him 
again and again, while tears of joy coursed down her 
wrinkled face, and she stood clasped in his strong arms. 
He tried to speak, but his voice choked, and he only 
pressed her the more closely to his heart. Then came 
the old father, and after him Mr. and Mrs. Bussell, who 
had stood beside him all through the dreadful ordeal, and 
in the face of the world declared him innocent. And then 
the lawyers, and the judges themselves. They explained 
to Waldemar why it was that the jury had come so near to 
a disagreement. The man who had once been threatened 
with arrest for selling liquor to minors had determined at 
the very beginning of the trial that this was a plan on 
the part of the aristocracy to defraud justice, and as he 


THE WRECKERS. 


371 


was one of those fools which are all too plenty in this 
world, who never change their mind,’^ chiefly because 
they have no mind to change, it was only after three 
hours of threats and bullying that the other eleven could 
persuade him to alter his vote. Now it was all over, 
however, and every one seemed very happy, though there 
was a good deal of crying nevertheless. In the midst of 
it all there came a rap on the door ; and when it was 
opened, Mrs. DeCamp came in. There were tears stream- 
ing down her face also, and she did not stop to rub them 
off; she forgot all about Lubin and the Lily of the 
Valley, but just as quick as she could, without even 
stopping to adjust her hair, she ran up to Waldemar, 
and, throwing her arms about his neck, cried out, — 

Oh, you dear, good, noble boy ! Forgive me for 
every word of evil I have ever spoken about you ; I 
didn’t mean it, you know, and it’s all my fault. Don’t 
let us be angry any more. Forgive me, Wally dear ; 
you will forgive me, won’t you?” 

Then after he had kissed her and assured her that all 
the past should be forgotten, she turned to his father, and 
putting her arms about him just as she had about Wal- 
demar, ruthlessly trampling her scented pocket-handker- 
chief beneath her feet, while she stood on tiptoe to reach 
up to his neck, she said, — 

'^^And you too! We’ll forget everything, won’t we, 
brother? I know I’ve often been silly and vain, and I 
think if it hadn’t been for me there wouldn’t liave been 
that trouble between you and dear George. You’ll for- 
give me too, won’t you, brother ? I didn’t mean really 
to do any evil, and I’ve often felt sorry for it, but never 
had the courage to ask pardon before.” 


372 


THE WRECKERS. 


Presently Cassius said, — 

I wonder where that Dutchman is • 

Surely enough, Hans had disappeared immediately at 
the close of the trial. The mystery was soon explained, 
however. Another rap at the door was heard, and this 
time when it was opened who should stand there but 
Hans himself, beaming all over with delight ; and by his 
side, who else but Katie ! 

His first thought had been to run and bear the tidings 
to Mike, and then to bring her back with him. 

Oh, by chiminey, I goes me vild mit joyness he 
exclaimed, dancing up and down on his little fat legs, 
and even presuming to poke in the ribs one of dem 
strange lawyer fellers’^ who had caused liim so much 
tribulation only a few hours before. 

It was the first time for many months that Waldemar 
had seen Katie to speak with her, except as she had visited 
him at his jail, and then the prison door had been be- 
tween them. She had never seemed so beautiful to him 
as she had on those days when she had come like an 
angel of light, and, looking through the little window 
of the iron door, had told him not to be afraid of the 
result. 

Now it was all over; no jailer stood by to remind her 
that the time was up ; he never would have to go back 
into the lonely darkness of his prison cell again. He 
needed no longer to protest to her that he was innocent ; 
the whole world knew it now, as she had believed it 
always. And it seemed as if heaven itself were wrapped 
up in that moment, when he put his arms about her and 
kissed again and again the lips of that pure, sweet 
womanly face which was turned up to his. 


THE WRECKERS. 


373 


“ May God repay you for what youVe been to me/^ 
he whispered. 

And looking up into his face, with a smile which 
seemed to him like the benediction of an an2:el, she 
answered, — 

'^He has repaid me already, Waldemar, in showing 
me the nobility and courage of the man I love.” 


CHAPTEE XXYL 

MIKE. 

Of all the hero-worship in this hero-hunting world of 
ours, there is none like that which prostrates itself at the 
feet of the secret, silent martyr, when he has been found 
out. A suspicion always lingers about a public virtue ; 
a suspicion of unreality. It may be very brave, but 
bravery itself is sometimes only vanity in soldier clothes. 

Colonel Blank has been killed at the front,” they 
said to Wellington. But he only answered, ^^What 
business had he larking olF there in the midst of needless 
danger, away from his post ?. He shall not be mentioned 
in the despatches.” 

Such courage is often mere brute ferocity ; the nervous 
exhilaration of the tiger which the best of us carry inside 
our bosoms. ^^What will England think of us to- 
morrow ?” was a shrewd battle-cry, as most of us poor 
sons of Adam are made ; but the truly courageous man 
will care little for what England or the whole world will 
32 


374 


THE WRECKERS. 


think of him to-morrow. To him there is another ques- 
tion more important : What will I think of myself 
to-day He will trouble himself very little about 
being mentioned in the despatches.’^ 

Such courage is not a common thing to find ; but when 
it is found, the world worships it all the more perhaps 
because of its rarity. A Wellington may receive our 
admiration, but a Christ our adoration. 

Poor Mike scarcely knew how to bear the honors 
which were now heaped upon him. The dramatic cir- 
cumstances under which his life had been revealed to the 
world had touched its deepest heart. The leading daily 
of the town devoted a long editorial to enforcing the 
sublimity of character, as illustrated in the beauty and 
fidelity of this unpretending life ; and the poet’s corner 
became acquainted with this seemingly most prosaic of 
all earth’s children. 

The proprietor of the Dime Museum sent him a note 
offering to put him on exhibition on one of the most 
prominent stands between the lightning calculator and 
the amusing mule, and to pay him a salary only exceeded 
by the two-headed lady herself. 

But the little circle which gathered about Mike cared 
nothing for all this publicity. They only waited anx- 
iously for the time to come when these events should be 
forgotten, and they permitted once more to go about their 
daily work unobserved. Eude people would sometimes 
point out Waldemar or Katie when they rode or walked 
together, until they became quite accustomed to the 
staring eyes of that class of folks who take this world 
for a circus, in which they are always gazing round for 
performers. Every day when he passed out he would 


THE WRECKERS. 


375 


catch the words in a stage whisper, There he is ! there 
he is ! That^s Grant 

^^Well, Wall, you’re becoming quite famous,” ex- 
claimed one of his old schoolmates, slapping him on the 
back as he met him in the street one day. 

His answer was the answer of a philosopher : 

Phil, there are a thousand joys in this world more 
real than to have one’s self talked about.” 

When Mr. Russell found that Mike could not be per- 
suaded to leave his little room in the old tenement, he 
wanted to refurnish it for him. But to this proposal 
the honest man was as stout in his remonstrance as he 
had been to the other. It was good enough for my 
choild, — Lor’ bless her, — an’ for — for her” (and he 
turned his eyes upward as he spoke), ‘^an’ it’s good 
enough for a poor ould Irishman o’ the loikes o’ me.” 

So they did not try to persuade him after this, but 
every day they came to him, and he cared for no greater 
joy than to lie, looking into Katie’s face and holding 
her hand in his, while Waldemar read aloud. Some- 
times it would be poetry or fiction or history, and some- 
times the Bible. This last he liked best, because he 
understood it, and knew how to read it now. He had 
not always known how to do this. In the days of his 
darkness he had tried for a long time in vain to get any 
help from it, and at last was about to give over any 
further attempt. The few verses which he had been 
accustomed to read to Katie he loved because of their 
association, but the rest seemed for the most part like 
a puzzle, which he could not make out. 

Sure it’s all full o’ big words, which I can’t under- 
stand at all at all,” he had said years ago, when he was 


376 


THE WRECKERS. 


recovering from his insanity^ and had not yet left the 
asylum. ^^An’ it tells about a wheel bein^ widin a 
wheel ; an’ the prophet eatin’ a big scroll, an’ about its 
bein’ sweet in the mouth an’ bitter in the belly, an’ all 
that ; an’ for the loife o’ me I don’t know what it’s all 
about Whatever it means, it don’t mean me anyhow. 
I never was a wheel widin a wheel as I knows on ; an’ 
I niver eat any scroll nor nothin’ o’ thim koind. All I 
know is that I’ve lost my Katie, an’ my poor Maggie’s 
gone, an’ I want somebody to tell me, if they can, how 
I can be a man an’ bear it loike a man. But I don’t 
foind it here.” 

And then the kind-hearted doctor who had gone 
through those troubles long ago, and settled them 
forever, had sat down by his side, and turned to one 
passage after another and read it to him, and after each 
one had asked, — 

“ Doesn’t that seem to speak to you ?” 

Then he had told him how the Bible was written for 
all ages of the world, and for all kinds of people ; and 
parts of it, which had met the wants of one age, would 
scarcely be needed at all in the next; but there was 
something in it for every age and for every man. 

‘^It’s just like a garden, Mike,” he said. ^^You 
don’t try to eat the whole garden, but you select just 
that which meets your need at the time you are hungry. 
Here you cut off a good-sized cabbage, and there a 
melon; then you go under the tree and gather some 
apples ; perhaps you put into the basket a few beets, 
and you have all you want. That’s the way God in- 
tended we should use this garden of His ; but a great 
many people imagine that they must digest the whole 


THE WRECKERS. 


377 


ten-acre lot, earth, trees, rocks, fruit, vegetables, and all. 
So, instead of finding enough and to spare there for 
their little needs, — and their great ones too, for the 
matter of that, — and accepting it in the spirit of love 
and trust as a gift from the kind Father, they waste all 
their time in trying to digest the rocks and the trees.’^ 

^^But what’s thim things in the Bible for, thin?” 
queried Mike. 

“ For the same reason that the forests and the quarries 
are in the earth ; because they either are, or have been, 
or will be useful to some one. The rocks and the trees 
* are inspired as much as the vegetables, only the vege- 
tables are more inspired for you, because they meet your 
need. That is inspired which inspires. Theologians 
may seek other tests, and they ought to seek for them, 
because they must be occupied, not only with religion, . 
but the science of religion. But for plain every-day 
men like you and me, we don’t need any other test; 
that is inspired which inspires.” 

Then he had taught him to turn to the Psalms of 
David, and the story of Job, and the words of Jesus ; 
so that, beginning with just that which he could under- 
stand, Mike had gradually learned to love almost the 
whole ; until now his Bible had become all dog-eared, 
and many pages were stained with the marks of falling 
tears. But he would not let them read it to him all the 
time, though he loved it better than the other books. 

^^Read what plazes you, Katie. I once heard a 
preacher say that there was such a thing as bein’ selfish 
even in bein’ good. I suppose that’s what Solomon 
means when he says, ^Be not righteous overmuch.’ I 
don’t want to be one o’ thim folks that’s so good there’s 
32 * 


378 


THE WRECKERS. 


no livin’ wid ’em. An’ anythin’s schwate to me now, 
darlin’, that comes from your lips ; whether it’s singin’ 
or prayin’, or only readin’ thim novels.” Blessed sun- 
set after a winter’s day ; the hour had come again when 
he could call her — darling. 

Hans came in beaming and happy whenever he was 
admitted. That was not very often, for the physician 
declared that it might be a long time before Mike would 
recover, and the irrepressible spirits of the German 
proved too exciting for his strength. 

The faithful fellow absolutely refused, however, to go 
away, scarcely absenting himself long enough to eat his 
meals ; but would lie down on the floor outside the room 
at night, utterly unconscious of the real annoyance which 
he sometimes gave by his midnight slumbers, when he 
seemed to snore in all languages at once. No one had 
the heart to tell him of it, and so a bed was arranged in 
the hall-way, where he could be quickly summoned to 
perform any errand which needed to be done. And he 
was never happier than at such times, when he felt he 
was doing a service for his friend. 

One day, after several weeks had elapsed, Waldemar 
came in, as was his daily custom. He tried to appear 
calm, but the quick eye of Katie, who now watched 
almost constantly by the side of her father, knew imme- 
diately that something unusual had occurred to excite 
him. 

The trial of Porta was now concluded. They had 
kept carefully from Mike the details, lest he might not 
be able to bear the nervous strain. It was the startlins: 

o 

revelation which had been unearthed which now flushed 
the cheek of the young man. 


THE WRECKERS. 379 

What is it, Waldemar she whispered, as Mike lay 
asleep. 

It was a long and strange story which he told her in 
a low tone. He had almost finished when the physician 
came in, and Mike was aroused from his slumber. 

When he had concluded his call and had passed into 
the hall, Waldemar, who had followed him, said, — 

Doctor, there have strange things happened, as per- 
haps you know, and this whole mystery is at last unrav- 
elled. We have kept it from Mike during the progress 
of the trial, as you advised. Once or twice he has asked 
concerning it, but we have either diverted his attention, 
or else, if he has persisted, we have promised him that 
when the right time came we would tell him all ; he has 
submitted passively, and patiently waited. Now it is 
concluded, and I should like to tell him, if you think he 
is strong enough to bear it.’^ 

Well, he has slept comfortably, and perhaps it will 
not hurt him ; only keep calm, and do not permit him 
to become too much excited. Stop if he seems to grow 
tired.’^ 

Thank you, doctor ; good-day. 

He returned to the room and sat down by the side of 
the bed. 

Mike,’^ said he, or — Mr. Barney.” 

No, call me Mike, please.” 

Well, then, Mike, the long mystery of your life is 
explained now, and I can tell you everything you want 
to know. And though there is much which will make 
you sad, because it will recall the old times which we 
have all been trying to lead you to forget, I am sure 
there is much which will make you very happy.” 


380 


THE WRECKERS. 


Then, while Katie sat stroking his head and running 
her fingers through his silvered locks, the young man 
began to draw aside the veil which the other had been 
so eagerly but vainly trying to penetrate through all 
those dark and weary years. 

“ Stop,^’ said the old man, when he had begun. Is 
Hans there 

Yes ; Hans is in the hall- way. 

Bring him in, thin ; bring him in. We bore the 
sorrow together, an’ I want him to share the joy.” 


CHAPTER XXYII. 

STBABELLI. 

Hans having been called in, Waldemar began : 

The trial of Strabelli is now finished. As you re- 
member, he was wholly unprepared for his arrest, and 
being taken, as he was, directly from the court-room 
(where he had come to see an innocent man convicted of 
the murder), he had no opportunity of destroying the 
evidence of his rascality, as he would undoubtedly have 
done had not circumstances culminated so suddenly. 

By these evidences, found in his trunk, which was 
traced to his apartments in another city, we have dis- 
covered his true motive in so persistently seeking to 
alienate this dear girl from me. Of course it was not 
love ; we knew that. But the great mystery with us all 
was, why he should put himself to so much pains to 


THE WRECKERS. 33 1 

accomplish that which at the most seemed to be but a 
passing fancy/^ 

Yes, yes, I understand, said Mike, impatiently, as 
Waldemar paused a moment, and he recalled the many 
sleepless nights he had had trying to solve that very 
question. Seeing his anxiety, the young man continued : 

In this trunk they found certain papers and letters, 
and, among them, a copy of a New York daily, stating 
that if any one knew of the whereabouts of Katie Barney, 
the daughter of Michael and Margaret Barney, at one 
time living in Jenkinstown, New Jersey, and would 
communicate with the firm of Grouse & Hanslow, he 
should be rewarded. 

We have found that this man Porta, fancying doubt- 
less that the advertisement was inserted by you, wrote 
under an assumed name to this firm to knoAv what the 
reward was and what parties were engaged in the search. 
He stated that he once knew this young woman when 
she was a girl, but had supposed until seeing the offer 
of this reward that she had been returned to her father, 
after the death of her mother. 

In reply he received the information that diligent 
inquiry had been made in Jenkinstown before any pub- 
lic measures had been taken ; and that according to the 
testimony of his former acquaintances the father had 
never heard of his child since that time. That he had 
left the city some years before, and was supposed to be 
dead, no information ever having reached the place con- 
cerning him; and that it was known that he was the 
subject of mental aberrations.^^ 

This must ha’ happened when Hans was in Ger- 
many ?” 


382 


THE WRECKERS. 


Yes. They stated that the advertisement was inserted 
by them at the request of the executors of a certain will, 
left by the uncle of Mrs. Barney ; that this gentleman 
had died on the continent, but had formerly lived in 
Ireland, and been the guardian of his niece, until the 
time when she ran away to marry you. That he had 
left his whole estate to her daughter, Katie, if she could 
be found ; and if not, it should go to the queen. 

“After this they heard nothing more of Porta, and 
gave up the search as useless. By the terms of the 
will, however, in case she was not found, no disposition 
of the property was to be made for ten years, except to 
see that it was properly invested.’’ 

“ An’ how old was this paper ?” 

“ Oh, not very old ; I forget the exact date.” 

“ Go on.” 

“This man Porta, when he had learned that this 
estate had been left to Katie, and that you in all prob- 
ability were dead, determined to track her if she were 
living, win her affections if possible, and marry her to 
gain control of her inheritance. With the knowledge 
which he already possessed, it was not a very difficult 
matter for him to accomplish the first part of his plan. 
After a few months’ diligent search, he discovered that 
your daughter had been adopted by Mrs. Russell. He 
then made his appearance at Troy Mountain. He pro- 
ceeded deliberately, because he knew the secret of the 
inheritance was his own, and he firmly believed that the 
secret of her identity was his own also. This accounts 
for the leisurely manner in which he went to work, and 
also for the indiscretions which, in so shrewd a rascal, 
would otherwise have seemed almost impossible.” 


THE WRECKERS. 


383 


'' Well, well, well T’ said Mike, thoughtfully. Well, 
well, well 

This explains, moreover, what we could not under- 
stand when we discussed the matter in thi^ room, on the 
night of my arrival in Groveland. You remember we 
wondered how a rogue like this should pursue a game 
which must have been discovered sooner or later, and 
which rendered him liable to imprisonment for forgery 
and for robbing the mails. 

If he could have alienated us two, and have secured 
Katie for himself long enough for him to have laid 
hands upon her inheritance, he would have disappeared 
forever, and the story of his princely life in Italy might 
perhaps have become a fact ; as for her, he would have 
left her with a broken heart.’’ 

I don’t think I should ever break my heart over a 
man like that,” said the young girl. I knew nothing 
about him, of course, and so could not reason about the 
matter, but whenever he came near, I felt he was bad, 
though I never could explain it.” 

That’s another illustration of the truth of what 
Herbert Spencer says,” replied Waldemar, smiling : 
^Hhat a woman’s intuitions are better than a man’s 
reasons.” 

But why was it I niver heard anything from Maggie’s 
uncle, after sindin’ him that despatch?” And Mike 
looked up from his pillow inquiringly. 

Because he had moved away long before, and the 
despatch never reached him. After his niece had gone 
the place became unendurably lonely, and so he sold out 
at a sacrifice and went to live on the continent. They 
say he was always eccentric, both in his speech and 


384 


THE WRECKERS. 


habits ; he seldom remained long in a town, but seemed 
to be pursued by a spirit of restlessness and remorse for 
having cast off Katie’s mother. Doubtless he thought 
to make atonement for his heartless conduct by leaving 
this bequest to her child. 

While you’ve been lying on your back here we’ve 
been communicating with the authorities, and have dis- 
covered these facts. Porta himself acknowledges it all 
now. As he puts it, he’s got to swing anyhow, and 
there’s nothing more to be gained by concealment. 
That’s about what he said, leaving out the oath which 
he put at each end of the sentence. 

‘^At first he was inclined to deny everything; and 
even when these facts had been established he persisted 
in disallowing the identity of Katie, declaring that the 
child whom he knew was drowned at sea with her 
mother ; that he had never been in Belleville, and that 
the story of his having been there was a fabrication. 

This statement was proved false, however, first by his 
letter to Grouse & Hanslow, and secondly by testimony 
coming from an unlooked-for source. A woman by the 
name of Bridget Barney, who then lived a few miles 
from here, at a place called Jenkinstown, in this State, 
but who is now keeping a laundry in this city, testified 
that she received a despatch from Porta years ago, telling 
her husband to come and take care of his child. 

It seems it was intended for you, but went to the 
wrong town. The despatch was not signed by his name, 
but she came up to Belleville, and almost by chance, as 
it were, obtained the original blank on which the mes- 
sage was written. Her testimony was very amusing; 
she seems still to cherish a deadly hatred against some 


THE WRECKERS. 


385 


Chicago reporter, who represented her as wringing out 
her husband and then hanging him over the clothes- 
horse to dry. The fact was quite an episode in her un- 
eventful life, so that she kept the blank among her pre- 
cious treasures as the text for a strange story among her 
friends. When this despatch was compared with his 
own handwriting, it settled the matter beyond dispute. 
She volunteered her testimony, having heard the case 
talked of among her washerwomen, and recognizing the 
names of the parties.’^ 

But what had all this to do with the murder of Mr. 
DeCamp 

That has all been explained by the testimony of his 
accomplice who turned State’s evidence. You remember, 
when you sent word to me, you wrote first to Mannheim. 
You followed the direction on Katie’s letter, and she had 
been misled by my pretended correspondence which he 
had forged. As we conjectured, he had arranged that all 
letters sent to me at that place be returned to him. It 
was in this way he kept me from receiving Katie’s cor- 
respondence; her letters to me came back to him, and 
likewise yours. Then he knew he was being watched, 
and accordingly gave up that plan for another. Who 
was watching him he could not tell, because of the 
assumed name under which you wrote. Your second 
letter, being sent to Heidelberg, I of course received; 
and that brought me home, unexpectedly to him. It 
was at this time he entered into league with Coffin to 
rob Mr. DeCamp, having placed him, by his influence, 
in the position of watchman, made vacant by your leav- 
ing. The rest we know ; his victim showed fight, and 
he struck him. Perhaps he did not intend to kill him, 
R z 33 


386 


THE WRECKERS. 


and perhaps he did ; probably the blow was harder than 
he meant it should be/^ 

^‘An’ Porta 

Found guilty of murder in the first degree, and to- 
morrow he’s to be sentenced.” 

Mike looked up at Katie, and tears of gratitude 
sprang to his eyes as he thought of what she had es- 
caped. She bent over and kissed him, and he put his 
arm about her neck, holding her close to him. His 
breath came hot against her cheek. Then he said, as he 
unfastened his arms, and she sat where he might look 
into her face, and feel her hand upon his brow, — 

I’ve lived for you, my darlin’. The Lord knows 
how I’ve lived for you. I’ve dreamed of you by night, 
an’ I’ve thought of you by day. Away back in thim 
past years whin I didn’t know where you was, only that 
you was somewhere, an’ perhaps cold an’ hungry ; per- 
haps lyin’ awake o’ noights, an’ cryin’ for me, as my 
lonely heart was cryin’ for you ; an’ in thim days I just 
had one prayer on my lips, an’ that was, O Lord, let me 
see her once more, an’ know that she isn’t weepin’ her 
loife away in darkness an’ sorrow. I’ll niver ask any 
other blessin’ if ye grant me this. 

An’ He did grant it ; an’ I was so happy watch in’ 
your schwate face, whin you didn’t know it at all at all. 
Many’s the toime I’ve sat in this little room listenin’ 
for the tread o’ your footfall on the stair. Oh, how I 
longed to put these old arms about ye, an’ take your 
dilicate fingers in this big ugly hand o’ moine, an’ tell 
you the whole story; an’ how I’d been hungerin’ for 
your broight smile all these years ! But I didn’t do it, 
did I, darlin’ ? I stood it to the end, didn’t I ?” His 


THE WRECKERS. 387 

voice became more earnest, and he gazed up at her 
eiigerly. 

Waldemar noticed in his eye that confused look which 
one who has seen a* patient laboring under partial de- 
rangement can never forget. 

Hush, Mike, hush,^^ he said, gently seeking to draw 
the young girl away. You are growing nervous and 
tired ; we will not talk any more about it now.’^ 

Oh, no, no, no ; I’m not nervous !” he answered. 

I’ll be very quiet ; I will indeed ! Don’t stop me ; I’ve 
held it all these years, an’ I must say it. I didn’t do it, 
did I, darlin’ ? Oh, how I prayed for strength in thim 
days! He give it to me. It was a hard foight, 

but I won ; didn’t I, darlin’ ?” 

Yes, father, yes. And He brought it all out for the 
best.” 

All for the best ! all for the best I” he echoed, slowly 
and thoughtfully. 

But you ought to have let me know, and not have 
suffered in silence as you did. Now you must be calm, 
father. You know we all love you, and want to see you 
get well and strong again.” 

The Lord’s will be done, darlin’, either way,” he 
murmured, with greater calmness. All, I would have 
fought for loife loike a tiger for her whelps once. It 
was whin I was seekin’ you, an’ whin I found you. An’ 
after that I didn’t want to go until ye knew me. I didn’t 
think it would ever come about, least of all in the way 
it has ; but every desire of my heart has been granted. 
He’s let me live to see you, an’ to see you happy an’ to 
feel the pressure o’ your lips upon moine, and to hear 
ye call me — father. The work o’ the old man is done 


388 


THE WRECKERS. 


now, an’ in the good Lord’s toime I’m ready to go ; I’m 
ready to go.” 

But you mustn’t talk that way ; you are to become 
well again. Let me fix the pillow about your head. 
That’s right ; isn’t there something else we can do for 
you, father?” She dwelt upon the word, because she 
saw it gave him so much joy. He hesitated a moment, 
and then replied, with a smile, — 

Yes, there is somethin’ you can do for me, darlin’.” 

What is it, father ? Anything you want ; speak of 
it, and you shall have it.” 

It’s the only thing now in all the world that I do 
want. It’s the last sacret prayer that I bin offerin’ all 
to myself these many weeks. An’ if I don’t see it soon, 
I’m afraid I won’t see it all at all ; for nobody knows 
whin this crazy fit may come upon me, an’ I don’t 
believe I can stand more than one.” He stopped and 
looked earnestly, first into Waldemar’s face and then into 
hers. Before I go away I want to see you two one. 
I want to know that whin I’m laid under the ground, 
there’s another heart that’s yours forever, an’ a heart 
that’s worthy of you.” 

And in a low voice she answered, as, blushingly, she 
bent over Mike, while Waldemar with a smile looked 
on, — 

It’s all arranged, father.” 

For whin, child ?” 

In less than three weeks, if you are well enough.” 

An’ where ?” 

Here, in this little room.” 


THE WRECKERS. 


389 


CHAPTEE XXyill. 

IN WHICH THE BELL RINGS, AND, WHILE THE ORCHESTRA 
PLAYS THE WEDDING-MARCH, THE CURTAIN BEGINS 
TO DESCEND. 

What a wedding that was, to be sure ! Unlike, I’ll 
be bound, any other wedding that ever happened since 
Adam set the fashion of love-making in Eden. True, 
Mrs. DeCamp was horrified beyond measure at the 
thought of their not being married in church, or at least, 
as she expressed it, somewhere else besides in a miser- 
able tenement-house. Not even a room for guests to 
touch up their hair in before the ceremony ! She was 
glad she wasn’t out of mourning, so that she couldn’t go. 
Why, it was just too awful for anything.” 

In this she was mistaken, however, for there was a 
room ; even that same which belonged to Sandy and 
Peggy, who were now old and quite infirm, but had been' 
rendered independent of shoe-making for the rest of their 
lives by Mr. and Mrs. Eussell. Of course they could 
not have the old worn-out carpet on the floor when there 
was such a festival on hand ; that would never do. And 
so Mrs. Russell succeeded in accomplishing what she had 
long sought in vain : the gaining of Peggy’s consent to 
have the old rag-carpet removed and a bright, new three- 
ply laid in its stead. 

Then, of course, it would never do on such an occasion 
to have the old furniture ; so again she scored another 
victory, after having sufiered many a defeat in the past ; 

33 * 


390 


THE WRECKERS. 


and the old traps, which themselves had grown quite as 
infirm as their owners, were, with a few precious excep- 
tions, converted into kindling-wood, and their places filled 
with the cosiest, downiest, cheeriest furniture that Grove- 
land could provide. 

^ Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,’ ” Said 
Sandy, when he saw the transformation. 

But Peggy, who was not so spiritually minded in her 
aspirations and took a deeper practical interest in the 
substantial comforts of this mundane sphere, remarked 
that so far as she was concerned this was the very time 
when she didn’t want to depart, and she would be very 
much obliged if that event could be delayed for a number 
of years. 

Sandy, though he was somew’hat shocked at her manner 
of speech, calmed his feelings with a hymn, and thought 
that he was the veriest blessedest man in all the world. 

Now, Mike,” they had said, you must consent to 
have your room fixed up, too; Peggy has.” But he 
only answered, — 

If you knew how every spot in the paper on the wall 
is precious to me because it looked down on her in thim 
days of her sorrow, an’ how every crack in the ould 
ceilin’ is dear because her prayers wint up througli it to 
His throne, you wouldn’t think I could have it touclicd.” 

So they left it undisturbed ; the paper, the ceiling, and 
most of the furniture, just as it was in the old times 
when Katie used to sit in her little rocker, and her bird 
in her lap, with Jane sewing at the machine. Even the 
little chair Mike had found long ago, in the shop where 
it had been pawned, and bought it back again. 

There it was, in that same room, on a bright sunshiny 


THE WRECKERS. 


391 


morning, that the wedding took place. There were Peggy 
and Sandy, bubbling over with delight. 

Who’d ha’ thought it, Sandy ?” she cried, clapping 
her hands together, and then picking up one corner of her 
apron to wipe the tears from her beaming eyes, — who’d 
ha’ thought it, on that Sunday morning so long ago, 
when I started out to find the fine lady, an’ tell her of 
her poor starvin’ scholar, that it would ha’ come to this ! 
La sakes alive, who’d ha’ thought it !” 

And there were Mr. and Mrs. Russell su2)erintending 
everything, and yet never appearing to superintend any- 
thing ; quiet and strong. 

And there was Hans, exclaiming, as of old, — 

Oh, my graciousness ! I nefer felt such joy ness in 
all mine lifes before already.” 

And there w^as Mike. For the first time in many 
weeks the doctor had given him permission to sit up. 
So they sent and purchased an invalid’s chair, the most 
comfortable in all the store ; and after Hans and Walde- 
mar had helped him to dress in his spick and span new 
suit, which had just been brought home, and assisted 
him into his high collar, which caused him all the morn- 
ing long to feel as though he belonged to the stilf-necked 
generation, they wheeled him up to the window by the 
side of which Katie had sat on that very day when she 
saw the white horses drive up to the house, long ago. 

Then, while the door was crowded by the guests, peer- 
ing in and standing on tiptoe to look over one another’s 
shoulders, the voice of the preacher was heard, pronoun- 
cing one these two souls whom God had joined together 
for eternity, and whom, by strange paths. He had been 
leading up to this hour by a way that they knew not of. 


392 


THE WRECKERS. 


After this, the dinner and the merry-making in Peggy^s 
room. A caterer had been engaged, and the tables were 
spread and everything was ready by the time the cere- 
mony was over. The room was small, but that was all 
the better, for there were not many of them to sit down, 
and it seemed just so much the cosier. Mike was wheeled 
in and given the place of honor at the head of the table. 
At his left sat the clergyman, Mr. Everett, and at his 
right, Katie and Waldemar. 

Surely no wedding-party was ever merrier, and every 
one who was present at this one remarked afterward what 
a stupid affair, in comparison, was the large gathering 
given in the evening at the house of Mr. and Mrs. Kus- 
sell. Mike felt more like his old self than he had for 
years, and the Irish wit of those early days bubbled out 
constantly over his high collar, until the whole company 
laughed, not only with him, but at him, on account of his 
odd remarks at his own appearance in his store clothes.” 

Kor was Hans very much behind in this latter respect. 
One lady declared it was the merriest party she had ever 
attended, and that she did not know, after all, but that 
simplicity in these things was the most sensible. 

Yes,” responded Mrs. Kussell, who sat beside her, 
in this thing, and in everything. The true life is the 
real life ; the life by which we derive gladness and hope 
from the commonplace duties and simple joys of daily 
being.” 

True,” exclaimed Mr. Everett, who had heard the 
remark. “ As the good book says, ^ God is not only the 
God of the mountains,' but the God of the valleys.^ 
There’s no sphere so humble but that we may find His 
light and love there, and therefore peace and rest, if we 


THE WRECKERS. 


393 


look for it ; and there is no sphere where we cannot prove 
ourselves heroes by shouldering our burden and carrying 
it manfully, if we will, — as Mike has, and as Katie has, 
and Jaue/’ 

And Waldemar,’^ suggested Katie. 

And there^s no place in life where selfishness does ^ 
not become a curse,’’ added Mr. Russell. Whether it 
be the selfishness of the employer who looks upon his 
men as so many machines, forgetting that his very rela- 
tion of superiority makes him that man’s keeper, and 
that for his influence over him, whether for good or bad, 
he must give an account, not only in the next world, 
but sooner or later in this ; or the selfishness of the em- 
ploy6 who only feels his wrongs, and, not stopping to 
reason about them, destroys the very means of his live- 
lihood by meeting brute indifference with brute ferocity.” 

True again,” exclaimed the clergyman. And it is 
no change of institutions alone which will better society.*^ 
The only way to reform this world is for each man to 
begin by reforming himself. The change must be in us. 
AVe must be brave enough to advocate and practise the 
law of love for the law' of selfishness.” 

In the shop among the employes,” remarked Mr. 
Russell. 

And in the kitchen with the cook,” suggested Mrs. 
Russell. 

And in the nursery with the children,” said Katie,^ 
with a far-away look in her eyes, as though she were 
recalling her own experiences in the tavern at Bellevillo. 

And it is the sheerest nonsense,” resumed Mr. Rus- 
sell again, for men to say they cannot carry on busi- 
ness successfully except as they start with the conception ^ 


THE WRECKERS. 


394 

^of crushing all those beneath them, — looking upon their 
employes as enemies to be beaten in fight, instead of 
friends to be sought in co-operation.’^ 

You have never had a strike in your works, have 
you ?” inquired Waldemar. 

Yes, but not often ; and I have put down my men’s 
wages as low as anybody when it has seemed necessary ; 
but by intentional kindness (and I take little credit for it, 
for it was actuated by policy, as well as principle) I have 
so won the confidence of my workingmen that they trust 
rae. And while I do not hesitate to put their wages 
down when times require, they know that I will be just 
as ready to put them up when times permit ; and that 
without waiting for a committee to come to me and de- 
mand it, either. And in actual results I would rather 
have the work of three such men, who are bound to me 
by the ties of friendship and serve me willingly and 
with a cheerful spirit, than of five who were filled with 
dull fire of antagonism. I say it is not only right, it is 
economical in the end. If men would do this, though 
they may not think so, they would not only be the 
saviors of society, but of themselves. The men who do 
it not, tlitey are the wreckers of society and of themselves.” 

That’s a good distinction,” said Mr. Everett. Every 
one of, us must belong to one of those classes ; the world’s 

saviors, or its wreckers. And its wreckers are ” 

^ATlio?” asked Waldemar. 

Well, the intentionally vicious.” 

Porta, for example ?” 

Yes. And the systematically tyrannical.” 

Every one thought of DeCamp, though no one spoke 
his name. 


THE WRECKERS. 


395 


And the thoughtlessly frivolous/’ exclaimed Walde- 
mar, as he silently remembered how one woman’s silly 
vanity had helped on the great catastrophe in her own 
home, and almost destroyed his. 

An’ one other class,” said Mike, while he looked at 
Katie with an expression of pity and love and gratitude 
combined. ‘^The people who, loike Mrs. Felix, will 
take a tender, helpless little lamb of a choild, an’ try to 
make it good by tellin’ it lies, an’ let all the ugly devil- 
ish feelin’s in their heart be poured out on that helpless 
innocent head, because the arm isn’t strong enough to 
strike back. I believe they’re worse nor all the rest, for 
they’re cowards into the bargain.” 

And Hans, always eager for an opportunity to endorse 
his friend, exclaimed, — 

Dot vas so mitout no mistake. Dem vas der wreck- 
ers.” 


CHAPTER XXIX. 

THE EAST. 

And now, reader, you and I have reached the parting 
of the ways. The time, has come for us to bid adieu, 
and then pass on, each in his own path, to meet, perhaps, 
stranger things in this strange world of ours than any 
of which we have been dreaming. 

“ Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing ; 

Only a signal shown and a distant -voice in the darkness ; 

So on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another ; 

Only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence,” 


396 


THE WRECKERS. 


It remains for me to trace a little farther the lives of 
these whom we have learned to know, and then arise 
from my task, with a sigh of relief and yet of sadness 
that it is all over. 

When the time came for the execution of Porta, he 
walked out to the scaffold, the only man in all the 
throng who was unmoved. His arms were pinioned 
behind him, and he was perhaps a little pale ; otherwise, 
it would have been difficult to have distinguished him 
from the sheriff who walked by his side. In his mouth 
he held a lighted cigar, which he kept on smoking while 
the prayer of the clergyman was being offered, spitting it 
out from between his teeth just in time to answer with 
an oath the solemn Amen, and receive over his head the 
black cap which should shut him out forever from a 
world into which he had introduced so much of sorrow 
and of sin. He died as men generally die, as he had 
lived. 

Mrs. DeCamj), carefully consulting the fashion-plates 
and her dressmaker, that she might not cease too soon 
from mourning the death of her companion, passed 
gracefully, and by proper degrees, from sombre black 
into a white border, very narrow and delicate, and at 
first scarcely perceptible at all. 

For one whole year she utterly refused to be comforted, 
— longer than that, in fact, for when he died it was the 
eleventh of September, and she remained inconsolable 
until the thirteenth, thus throwing in two extra days, as 
it were, for good measure. 

Soon after this she was fluttering as gayly as ever 
about the watering-places in summer, her cliief concern 
being that the wrinkles were becoming so deep that even 


THE WRECKERS. 397 

Lubin could no longer befriend her. Thus she went 
down to a giggling, simpering, peevish decay, an un- 
happy, disappointed woman, with all the weakness of 
many years upon her, but with none of that dignity and 
repose which so often make old age sublime. 

Hans is living in Jenkinstown with his Katrine, happy 
and jolly as ever, and loved of all. Once every year, 
on the anniversary of the wedding-day, he returns to 
visit Mike, and as they sit and smoke their pipes to- 
gether he declares that each time vas better as it never 
vas before.^^ 

The old firm of Edwin Russell & Co. has been en- 
larged by the addition of a new partner, and Waldemar 
Grant seeks to carry into his work the same spirit of 
good-will to all which has been the leading principle of 
the house ever since its founders started, as poor men, to 
build up a fortune. He and Katie live in a tasteful and 
cosey home, just a few doors from the family mansion, 
where they can see the old folks every day. Each even- 
ing she looks for his coming, and seeks to make her 
marriage what marriage ever ought to be, an eternal 
courtship. To him there is no place so delightful as his 
fireside ; no gayety in all the world has half the allure- 
ment for him as have those cosey, quiet evenings when 
he and she sit together in the little sitting-room, reading, 
or singing, or sometimes talking of the old days, or 
planning for the new. More than once she has said, 
with a smile, — 

I think your wish has fallen true, Waldemar ; the 
waters must have rolled the angles all away. I wonder 
if ever married folks were as happy as we before V* 

More than once he has answered, — 

34 


398 


THE WRECKERS. 


^^And you have realized your dream. You have 
come through the storm and the darkness, but you’ve 
reached the light at last.” And so she has, and every 
day seems brighter than the day which went before. 

And Mike ; what of Mike ? At first he would not 
think of moving out of the old place, even after the 
marriage. 

^^It’s good enough for the loikes o’ me,” he would 
answer, when they pressed him to come and live with 
them ; I niver could feel at home at all at all in your 
grand house, unless I come as the coachman. What 
was good enough for my little darlin’ in the days of her 
poverty is good enough for me, an’ the Lord be praised 
for it.” 

But when Christmas came they insisted that he and 
Peggy and Sandy should hang up their stockings, to see 
what Santa Claus would bring during the night. They 
had a merry time of it that Christmas Eve; Waldemar 
pretending to reason with Mike that his stocking was 
too big to be filled with anything smaller than a house, 
and vainly persuading him to borrow one of Peggy’s in 
its stead ; Peggy putting up her hands before her eyes 
and saying, Oh, for shame, Mr. Grant !” and Sandy 
looking on and enjoying it all. 

But when the next morning came, they found that 
Waldemar was more than half right after all ; for in 
his stocking Mike discovered not exactly a house, but 
the deed of a house, as neat and pretty a little cottage 
as there ,was in the whole city of Groveland ; all thor- 
oughly furnished from cellar to garret, and with his 
own name on the door-plate. It was not far from Wal- 
demar’s ; not more than two blocks distant, on a modest 


THE WRECKERS. 


399 


side street, where he would be likely to feel most at 
home; they could even look into one another’s back 
windows from the third story. 

And there was a nice room reserved for the two old 
people ; and Santa Claus brought to them some fresh 
new Government bonds, so that thereafter they need 
not be dependent on anybody, but could afford to live 
as they chose in their humble way, and occasionally go 
out riding together in a hired carriage, which they en- 
joyed far more than Waldemar’s stylish equipage, in 
which, somehow, they never could feel exactly at home. 
They all dined together in the new house on that day, 
Mr. and Mrs. Russell among them ; and such a Christ- 
mas dinner ! 

Nor was that all. It really seemed as though sur- 
prises would never cease. Katie had been in correspond- 
ence with Hans, and when the bell rang for dinner who 
should walk in, and take his seat at the table, but the 
fat little German himself; and when the things came 
to be served, who should come in to serve them but 
Widow Carey’s Biddy, whom Mike had trotted on his 
knee long years before. She had since married, and 
become a widow herself, and now on Hans’ recommen- 
dation was introduced as cook and general housekeeper 
into the new home. When she saw her old friend, 
whom she should never have recognized, though she 
remembered him well, she was as happy as the rest; 
and to this day continues faithful and full of gratitude, 
taking as much pride in the house as though it belonged 
to her very self. 

Since then the years have passed, and Mike is indeed 
an old man now. Sometimes of a winter’s evening, as 


400 


THE WRECKERS. 


he sits in his arm-chair, watching the fire while it burns 
and crackles in the grate, he holds in his arms a little 
girl, who looks up into his face and calls him grandpa. 
And when the chimney whistles drearily, as it did on 
that night so long ago, and the whirling snow beats 
against the window-pane, and he hears the wind sough- 
ing and moaning in the streets of the great city, she 
does not know why it is that he presses her so closely, 
and calls her so tenderly his little Katie.’^ She only 
looks with those large, questioning eyes into his, and 
then laying her head, with its curling golden hair, upon 
his arm, nestling trustfully in his bosom, she falls asleep 
and dreams; and the old man looking into the fire is 
dreaming too. Let us not disturb him ; we shall each 
have our dreams as he has now, if we live long enough. 

And out in the storm the old world moves on just 
the same ; and men’s hearts are breaking, and children 
are weeping; and the night looks down on many a 
tempest-tossed wanderer, lifting her hands above the 
wreck and moaning for help as she feels the ship sinking 
beneath her feet ; and moaning in vain. 

, God help us all to deal tenderly with one another 
while we may. Soon we shall lie down together in the 
dust, and it will all be over ; the story told ; the book 
ended. 


THE END. 


PUBLICATIONS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY. 


ON BOTH SIDES. 

By Miss Fanny Courtenay Baylor. 

Containing “The Perfect Treasure” and “On This Side,” the whole forming a complete story. 
121110. Extra cloth. $1.25. 


“No such faithful, candid, kindly, brilliant, and incisive presentation of 
English and American types has before been achieved. The wit of the 
story is considerable. It is written brilliantly, yet not flimsily. It is the 
best international novel that either side has hitherto produced. It is written 
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that she possesses powers which ought to put her in the front rank of fiction." 
— Ne7v York Tribune. 

“ For a number of months past the readers of Lippincott’s Magazine have 
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yet been written by an American girl, and the wonder was that the story did 
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neither an Englishman nor an American writer on this side or that who might 
not be proud to have written this international novel. It will be one of the 
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“Miss Baylor’s clever story has had such high marks of appreciation during 
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book form is most gratifying. There is one test of the unfailing spirit and 
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‘international’ piece of fun. The good points, the true distinction of good 
breeding in manners and customs pertaining to each of the two peoples, and 
the thorough good understanding of the genuine people in the story, are the 
most satisfactory of its conclusions; but it is a sh.arp stylus that sets down the 
pretensions of the vidgar on either side. It looks as though Daisy Miller 
were avenged at last — and yet no offence either given or received.” — Phila- 
delphia Ledger. 

“In Miss Baylor’s work we have a novel entertaining from beginning to 
end, with brightness that never falls flat, that always suggests something be- 
yond the mere amusement, that will be most enjoyed by those of most cultiva- 
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but charming humor; it is not a collection of bright sayings of clever people, 
but a reproduction of ways of thought and types of manner infinitely enter- 
taining to the reader, while not in the least funny to the actor, or intended by 
him to appear funny. It is inimitably good as a rendering of the peculiarities 
of British and of American nature and training, while it is .so perfectly free 
from anything like ridicule, that the victims would be the first to smile.” — 
The Critic. 

*** For sale by all Booksellers, or will be sent by mail, postage prepaid, on 
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Nos. 715 AND 717 Market Street, Philadel’hia. 


PUBLICATIONS OF y. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY. 



BY 

AIwICE KllSO HAMII.XON. 

121110. Extra cloth. $1.25. 


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but seems more Philadelphian than of New York in her beliefs and 
customs. The other characters-, the gossips and the military men, 
are well considered, and the hero is as perfect as one would like both 
in beauty and in disposition. But the merit of the book lies not in 
characters which are rather conventional, but in the scenes and the 
swift movement of a striking plot. The author knows how to tell a 
story.” — Boston yournal. 

"This clever story of an artillery post is based upon a dramatic 
incident of military life. A keen eye for the humorous side, and an 
adequate appreciation of dramatic effects, make it decidedly agree- 
able reading.” — Philadelphia Ledger. 

“An interesting novel of life in the garrison and navy-yard circles 
of Pensacola, and ends as all good novels should.” — New York Home 
yournal. 

“This is a tale of Florida life, full of adventure and thrilling with 
interest. It is written in Mrs. Hamilton’s best style, and deals with 
the social customs of military life, varied by the adventures incident 
to the camp. There are interwoven with the thread of the story 
many bits of description of the scenery of the country where the plot 
is laid.” — Baltimore Herald. 

“It is one of the best of recent novels, is well told, and holds the 
reader’s interest to the end.” — Germantown Telegraph. 

“ A well-written and interesting novel, with a plot somewhat out 
of the usual course. The story is a pleasant one, and will repay 
those who select it for reading at the sea-side or mountain this 
summer.” — Toledo Blade. 

“It is an intensely interesting book, as when did a story of army 
life, either in time of peace or war, fail to be ? It is a book than which 
few are more entertaining.” — Boston Globe. 

“ Eminently readable and entertaining.’’ — Charleston News and 
Courier. 


*** For sale by all Booksellers, or will be sent by mail, postage prepaid, on 
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AURORA. 

A 3SOVH1:.. 

By Mary Agnes Tincker, author of “ The Jewel in the 

Lotus,” etc. 

Illustrated. 12iuo. Extra cloth. $1.25. 


“ It is a story so delicately wrought, so artistically perfect, that one reads it 
with a-delight ihat deepens into fervor and enthusiasm. It is a story of Italian 
life, — of love, of intrigue, of despair, of aspiration. It is full of dramatic 
situations, and of subtle, pervasive power.” — Boston Evening Traveller. 

Aurora,’ by Mary Agnes Tincker, is a novel of extraordinary power and 
interest, in which the author of ‘ Signor Monaldini’s Niece’ has even surpassed 
the high mark made in that remarkable story. Its plot is original ; its varieties 
of character are portrayed with consummate skill; the different scenes — in 
Granada, in Sassoviso, at Ischia, and in Venice — are like pictures in vivid- 
ness; indeed, the entire presentation is that of imagination to imagination.” 
— Hart/ord Courani. 

“ The whole book is very entertaining, and there are one or two English 
characters in whom the reader will be interested.” — London Academy. 

” Miss Tincker’s stories of It.alian life invariably possess points of high 
charm, are eloquent in description, and are pervaded by a poetic ardor, which 
she puts into striking relief by offering in contrast vivid and realistic pictures 
of commonplace existence. In ‘Aurora’ there are scandals, falsehoods, in- 
trigues, all the machinations of powerful and unscrupulous workers in evil, 
which finally meet their punishment and their remedy in the catastrophe of 
the earthquake at Casamicciola. Thi? cu'mination of the story is admirably 
given, and is full of powerful and artistic effects.” — Philadelphia American. 

“ Everything which Miss Tincker writes bears the stamp of a refined mind, 
a poetic temperament, and unmistakable genius. The story glows with 
Southern warmth and sparkles with good things, and is very complete in 
every way.” — London Whitehall Review. 

“Possesses all the charms which characterized her excellent novel, 'The 
Jewel in the Lotus.’ In some respects it is a better written story than the 
work just named, and it falls below it in nothing. There is a genuine feeling 
for nature and poetry throughout the book, and its freshness and delicacy are 
very pleasant,” — New York Tribune. 


*** For sale by all Booksellers, or will be sent by mail, postage prepaid, on 
receipt of the price by 

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PUBLICATIONS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY. 


THE BAILIFF'S MAID, 

A ROMANCE. BY E. MARLITT. 

Translated by Mrs. A. L. Wister. 

i2mo. Hxtra Cloth. $x.25. 


“One of the freshest and purest of these charming romances of 
rural life in Germany. It is a charming, breezy romance. One 
of the best of the Marlitt novels.” — Philadelphia Evening Bulletin. 

“ A delightful work, in its author’s best vein, and is attractive in 
plot and remarkably strong in characterization.” — Boston Saturday 
Evening Gazette. 

“ It is a charming love-story.” — Chicago Evening yournal. 

“ A piece of fiction so faithful to life as to seem no fiction ; a summer 
love-idyl, invested with the nameless charm and quaintness' of old- 
world existence; a plot of the simplest and most transparent character, 
yet with mysteries and surprises so skilfully handled, and a technique 
so fresh and rich, that the book cannot be laid down until it is finished 
at a single sitting, — these are the light and airy qualities that consti- 
tute what may be called a novel of refreshment, and ‘ The Bailiff’s 
Maid’ possesses them in an eminent degree.” — The American. 

“ Another fine translation. The type of heroine is charmingly 
original, splendidly strong and pure.” — New Orleans Democrat. 

“ Long ago Mrs Wister laid a natural embargo on the novels of 
Marlitt, and she continues her translations from this and other safe 
and respectable writers of novels with commend.ible regularity. 
Translations, like originals, are lady-like, good, and not without 
instruction. Readers of ‘ The Old Mam’selle’s Secret’ and ‘ Gold 
Elsie’ will not be deceived in the new romance. It is especially 
to be recommended for wholesome, light reading for young people.” 
— A'ew Vorh Times. 


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PUBLICATIONS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY, 


THE OLD MAM’SELLE’8 SECRET. ' 

BY E. MARLITT. 

Translated by Mrs. A. L. Wister. 

i2mo. Hxtra Clotli. $1.50. 


** It is one of the most intense, concentrated, compact novels of 
the day. The work has the minute fidelity of the author of the 
‘ Initials,’ the dramatic unity of Reade, and the graphic power of 
George Eliot.” — Columbus Journal. 

“One of the best of Marlitt’s novels. The translation is so well 
done, so exceptionally well done indeed, that the story reads as if 
originally written in English, instead of in German.” — Peterson's 
Magazine. 

“ It is one of the most vigorous, powerful, and fascinating of the 
series. It enlists the deepest interest from the first page and enchains 
it to the close. It is strong and graphic in its portraitures, intense 
and dramatic in its diversified coloring. Humor and pathos succeed 
each other, while the drama moves rapidly on. Opening with the 
mischance of the huntsman, presenting immediately ihe catastrophe 
of the juggler’s wife, and taking us thence to the home of the austere 
and cold Frau Hellwig, the scenes are swift and absorbing in their 
movement. The writer has a rare faculty of condensed and accurate 
delineation.” — Albany Journal. 

“ A novel which has been received with remarkable favor, and for 
the very good reason that it is a capital story.” — Chicago Evening 
Journal. 

“ A more charming story, and one which, having once commenced, 
it seemed more difficult to leave, we have not met with for many a 
day.”— 7^^ Round Table. 

“ A novel whose sterling attractions have been abundantly proved 
by the reading public, both in the original and in the English ver- 
sion.” — New York Home Journal. 


For sale by all Booksellers, or will be sent, postpaid, on 
receipt of price by the Publishers. 


PUBLICATIONS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY. 



BY E. MARLITT. 


Translated by Mrs. A. L. Wister. 


\ 


X2mo. Hxtra Clotli. $1.50. 


** ‘ Gold Elsie* is one of the loveliest heroines ever introduced to 
the public.’* — Boston Advertiser. 

“ A charming book. It absorbs your attention from the title-page 
to the end.” — The Chicago Home Circle. 

“ No one who has read ‘ The Old Mam’selle’s Secret,* with its 
rapid story, its melting pathos, and its strong characterization, needs 
to be told of the singular merits of the writer. That was universally 
recognized as one of the most absorbing, ]^owerfuI, and dramatic 
stories which had come across the ocean in many a day. The same- 
German original and the same English reproducer give us the present 
volume.” — Albany Journal. 

“ The novel-reading public of the United States owe a debt of 
gratitude to Mrs. A. L. Wister for her translations from the German, 
partly for the judgment she has always shown in her selection of 
authors to be translated, and partly from the skill and the taste that 
has always characterized her versions, or adaptations, if indeed it 
would not be better to call them her improvements of the originals. 
The evidences of nationality which force themselves upon us in 
translations by inferior hands, who as a rule understand neither the 
language they translate from, nor the language they translate into, 
never offend us in her graceful and picturesque pages, which read as 
freshly and naturally as if English were the native tongue of their 
writers. The flavor of the German mind remains, but the idioms 
of the German speech have departed. They are thoroughly English, 
and thoroughly enjoyable.” — New York Mail and Express. 

“ Marlitt’s novels deserve their popularity, and it is fortunate that 
they have fallen into the hands of so excellent an interpreter as Mrs. 
Wister, whose translations have all the life and vigor of original 
productions.” — Philadelphia American. 


For sale by all Booksellers, or will be sent, postpaid, on 
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PUBLICATIONS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY. 


COUNTESS GISEU. 

BY E. MARLITT. 

Translated by Mrs. A. L. Wister, 

i2mo. Hxtra Clotli. .$1.50. 


** One of the very best of its class, and is a genuine representation 
of court, burgher, and rural life in Germany. The translation is 
spirited and faithful.” — Philadelphia Press. 

“ There is more dramatic power in this than in any of the stories 
by the same author that we have i-ead.” — New Orleans Times- 
Democrat. 

“ The author of ‘ The Old Mam’selle’s Secret’ and of ‘ Gold 
Elsie’ will never lack for admirers among the novel-reading public 
in this country so long as the translation of her writings is in the 
hands of Mrs. Wister. The present volume is the latest from Miss 
Marlitt’s ever-busy pen, and is marked by the same power, dramatic 
unity, and naturalness which are so characteristic of her writings.” — 
Chicago Evening Journal. 

“ E. Marlitt, the author. of ‘Gold Elsie,’ ‘The Second Wife,’ etc., 
has again given the reading public a treat in this novel, translated 
from the German by Mrs. A. L. Wister. There is a restfulness in 
these woiks that can be found in no others of the present day, while 
the vim of romance running through them sustains the interest from 
beginning to end,” — Harrisbm g Patriot. 

“ ‘ Countess Gisela’ would be recognized even without the name on 
the title-page as by the author of ‘ The Old Mam’selle’s Secret.’ 
Mrs. Wister has given Marlitt an extended popular reputation in 
this country, and a new translation from this ready writer is alwjys 
sure of plenty of readers.” — Philadelphia Tunes. 


For sale by all Booksellers, or will be sent, postpaid, on 
receipt of price by the Publishers. 


rUBLICATIONS OF y. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY. 


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With the number for January, i886, important changes were inaugurated in 
the literary character and typographical appearance of Lippincott’s hlagazine, 
which, while more than maintaining the lormer standards of excellence, will, 
it is expected , materially increase its popularity and widen its sphere of useful- 
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It is the cheapest first-class masiazine issued in America. Recognizing the 
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